Edema disease is a naturally occurring infection of weaned piglets caused by E. coli bacteria that produce Shiga toxin. This toxin is absorbed from the gut into the blood stream and causes the symptoms associated with edema disease. This study tested whether treating pigs orally with a microbial agent (probiotic) that prevents toxin from binding to sensitive cells would protect pigs from edema disease. The treatment significantly reduced the amount of free toxin in the intestine compared to untreated pigs; however, it failed to protect pigs from edema disease.
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