V795 Susceptibility to E.Coli Diarrhea (F18 ETEC)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an extremely common bacterial species, with certain varieties capable of causing severe diseases in livestock, such as pigs

One notable variant of E. coli is known as Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). ETEC causes diarrhoea by adhering to the cells of a pig’s intestinal lining (enterocytes), starting the process of enteric infection. ETEC can easily spread through litters and stables. However, certain genetic mutations can also increase the susceptibility of affected pigs to ETEC infections.

The two most significant ETEC variants causing post-weaning diaorrhea are designated as F4 (K88) and F18. Susceptibility to both these subtypes inherits in an autosomal recessive manner. The variant analysed in this test is to subtype F18, and is found on the gene FUT1.