Strain-specific enterotoxin secretion and impact of gut epithelial cells on porcine ETEC toxin secretion

Porcine ETEC is an important cause of bacterial diarrheal illness and is regarded as a global health threat for farm animals. Neonatal diarrhea (ND) and post weaning diarrhea (PWD) caused by ETEC result in severe economic losses for the farming industry worldwide due to increased morbidity and mortality and reduced growth rates. Neonatal piglets can be protected by the transfer of maternal antibodies upon vaccination of the sow. However, upon weaning piglets become highly susceptible to ETEC as the passive immunity wanes at weaning. To protect newly weaned piglets against ETEC infections, an oral live bivalent vaccine, Coliprotec® F4/F18 (Elanco GmbH), has been marketed in the EU and other countries since 2017. However, it could not provide complete protection to piglets. Furthermore, the live vaccine has some limitations and associated risks. Therefore, further research into the development of vaccines or alternative strategies is needed. This requires a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of ETEC and its interaction with its hosts at the molecular level