Species: Ovine, porcine, bovine

Specimen: Faeces

Container: Sterile container

Collection protocol: Collect a 1-2 g  faecal sample

Special handling/shipping requirements:  Standard

General information about the disease:

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is one of the major causes of diarrhoea in neonatal pigs, calves and lambs. K99 refers to one of the specific pilus adhesin antigens in ETEC diseases. Bacteria possessing K99 adhesins adhere mainly to the jejunum and ileum mucosa.

General information about when this test is indicated: Diarrhoea in young animals in the first week of life. The test determines the presence or absence of antigen in faeces

Comparison with other related tests:

Although pigs can be affected by K99 E. coli, the main cause of ETEC neonatal diarrhoea in piglets is E. coli with K88 adhesins.