The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has enhanced its Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report with the addition of E. coli PCR genotyping, giving producers and veterinarians new tools to understand pathogen trends and make targeted herd health decisions.
E. coli remains a major challenge in U.S. pork production due to the wide range of strains and varying levels of pathogenicity. By incorporating genotyping data from six university veterinary diagnostic labs, SHIC’s monthly report now tracks nine key endemic swine pathogens, including PRRS, PEDV, Influenza A, PCV2, PCV3, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and now E. coli.
Why It Matters:
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Identifies E. coli virulence factors most commonly circulating
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Differentiates between ETEC and STEC pathotypes
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Helps producers adapt prevention and treatment strategies specific to their farm
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Responds to industry demand for better visibility on emerging E. coli trends
“Understanding how E. coli is changing over time and which strains are most prevalent allows veterinarians and producers to better protect herd health,” said Dr. Niederwerder.
The data offers early insight into shifts across regions and production phases, enabling faster response and improved decision-making.
SHIC’s domestic and global swine disease monitoring reports are available through its monthly eNewsletter at swinehealth.org.
