Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology

This study was done to establish at molecular level that extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) could cause pneumonia in pigs. Three piglets and a sow which were brought for necropsy examination to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, showed pneumonic lesions. The culture examination revealed the presence of Escherichia coli infection. Amplification and sequencing of two virulence genes of ExPEC namely fimH and iucD (adhesin and siderophore respectively) was carried out to confirm ExPEC. Phylogenetic analysis of fimH and iucD genes revealed homology with other known isolates. ExPEC are organisms that are capable of acting as food borne pathogens, thus proving their presence in food animals has public health significance.