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Colibacillosis is a common disease in pigs, especially in piglets in the post-weaning period, caused by colonization of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) that adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. Once adhered, and taking advantage of the poorly developed immune system and intestinal microflora, ETEC produce one or more enterotoxins that can have local and, later, systemic effects. These enterotoxins prove an electrolyte imbalance that leads to increased intestinal secretion, which results in diarrhea, dehydration and acidosis. The control of colibacillosis in pigs has, for many years, resorted to antibiotics and other antimicrobial molecules often applied preventively as growth promoters. This practice has now been banned in several animal farming countries. As such, new strategies are needed to control colibacillosis in pigs. Blocking toxins, which are the main virulence factors of ETEC, is a promising strategy to combat colibacillosis. The main objective of the present proposal is to develop NAM-aptamers to block enterotoxins produced by ETEC. Projeto em co-promoção.
Reference: PTDC/CVT-CVT/4620/2021
Total funding: 249,647,91€
Funding for CECAV/UTAD: 49,907,50€
Leading institution: Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária (INIAV).
Partners: Laboratório Ibérico Internacional de Nano tecnologias INL LIN (INI); Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD).
Project leader at CECAV/UTAD: Divanildo Monteiro
