Topic 108 - General characteristics of diseases caused by Escherichia coli (RED)

Question 1

Which type of gram bacteria is E.coli?

Answer 1

Gram negative

Question 2

Important features of E.coli

Answer 2

Oxidase negative
Fermentative bacteria, during fermentation they produce acid and gas

Question 3

Which family does E.coli belong to?

Answer 3

Enterobacteriaceae family

Question 4

Where is E.coli normally found in the body?

Answer 4

In the intestines

Question 5

Name the different antigens of E.coli:

Answer 5

O
K
H
F

Question 6

What is the O antigen in the nature?

Answer 6

LPS, it is type specific

Question 7

What is the K antigen in the nature?

Answer 7

Polysaccharides, they are both heat stabile and heat labile

Question 8

What is the H antigen in the nature?

Question 9

What is the F antigen in the nature?

Answer 9

Protein, act as adhesin

Question 10

Name the virulence factors of E.coli:

Answer 10

1. Capsule
2. Adhesins
3. Endotoxins: LPS
4. Exotoxins
5. Invasive ability
6. Ability of survival in the blood

Question 11

Name the different exotoxins of E.coli and what their ability is:

Answer 11

1. Enterotoxins:
   Heat labile and heat stabile = induces hypersecretion of fluid into intestines
2. Verotoxins = inhibit the protein synthesis
3. Cytotoxic necrotic facotr

Question 12

In which species does E.coli cause enteric disease?

Answer 12

Calves
Piglets
Rabbits
Dogs and cats

Question 13

In which species does E.coli cause septicaemic disease?

Answer 13

Calves
Poultry

Question 14

In which species does E.coli cause urinary tract disease?

Answer 14

Pigs
Dog

Question 15

In which species does E.coli cause mastitis?

Answer 15

Cows
Pigs

Question 16

Predisposing factors of E.coli:

Answer 16

1. Insufficient or no colostral immunity
2. Overcrowding
3. Poor hygiene
4. Stress factors
5. Accumulation of undigested or unabsorbed nutrients

Question 17

How to diagnose E.coli?

Answer 17

Bacterial culture
Haemolysis in swine and dog
Pure culture of blood and organs

Question 18

Treatment of E.coli

Answer 18

Enteric diseases: AB and rehydration
Septicaemic diseases: generally too late, high mortality
Mastitis: Intramammary treatment

Question 19

Prevention methods for E.coli

Answer 19

1. Good hygiene
2. Newborn animals recieve enough colostrum
3. New feed is introduced gradually
4. Breeding of disease resistant pigs
5. Probiotics, but this is not very effective