[E. coli enterotoxicosis in unweaned piglets. II. Preparation and preventive administration of immunoglobulins (author's transl)].

Laboratory and field trials were made of an immunoglobulin prepared from sows hyperimmunized with E. coli O149:K91,K88. Of the three methods of inoculation (oral, intramuscular and intraperitoneal) used in laboratory trials in specific pathogen-free (SPF) piglets, oral administration was found to result in the lowest concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets. There was little difference between the concentration of immunoglobulin in the serum of the piglets following intramuscular administration and that following intrperitoneal administration. Oral and intraperitoneal inoculation of preparations of immunoglobulin were adopted in three herds in which enterotoxaemia caused by E. coli O149:K91,K88 was a recurrent problem. It can be concluded from these experiments that administration of immunoglobulins does offer some, but definitely inadequate, protection as a preventive measure in enterotoxaemia due to E. coli.