The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has introduced a new diagnostic advancement to help producers and veterinarians strengthen on-farm health management. The addition of E. coli PCR genotyping to SHIC’s Monthly Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report provides real-time insight into one of the industry’s most persistent bacterial challenges.
E. coli remains a major cause of neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea in pigs and ranks among the top pathogens affecting U.S. pork production. With the new genotyping feature, the SHIC report now captures strain-specific and genetic details that help identify, track, and manage the pathogen with greater precision.
According to Dr. Lisa Becton, Associate Director of the Swine Health Information Center, this development represents a valuable step forward in proactive health monitoring.
“E. coli is a significant challenge both in farrowing and nursery for pigs,” said Dr. Becton. “It’s important to understand which strains are present on-farm, what genetic characteristics drive virulence, and how these factors impact antimicrobial response. Having this data supports better management strategies and overall herd health.”
The PCR genotyping process assesses genotype trends, virotypes, and pathotypes, allowing veterinarians and producers to make more informed decisions for prevention and control. This data-driven approach equips the industry with new tools to stay ahead of bacterial evolution and maintain animal well-being.
The addition of E. coli PCR genotyping reinforces SHIC’s ongoing commitment to supporting producers through timely research, disease surveillance, and practical resources that enhance herd resilience across the U.S. pork sector.
