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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118439
Title: IN VITRO DETECTION OF SHIGA TOXIN USING PORCINE ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

Author
item Mengeling, William
item Vorwald, Ann
item CORNICK, NANCY - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Lager, Kelly
item MOON, HARLEY - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Each year edema disease of pigs results in major economic loss for the swine industry. It is caused by a toxin (Shiga toxin) produced by certain strains of a microorganism called Escherichia coli. The most effective control and treatment of edema disease depends on a timely diagnosis. Therefore it is important to have a sensitive and reliable diagnostic test. .In this study we developed such a test by using a cell type we found to be highly susceptible to the lytic effects of Shiga toxin. The routine use of our test for diagnostic purposes will result in a financial saving for the U.S. swine industry and for consumers of pork and pork products.

Technical Abstract: Porcine alveolar macrophages were found to be highly susceptible to the cytolytic effects of a toxin (Shiga toxin [Stx]) produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli and sometimes associated with clinical disease in pigs and other animals. In comparison with the cells that are most commonly used for Stx detection and titration in vitro (namely, Vero cells) )porcine alveolar macrophages appeared to be generally more sensitive and test results could be obtained in less time. Moreover, unlike Vero cells, porcine alveolar macrophages need not be continuously propagated to ensure immediate availability. They can simply be removed from a low-temperature repository, thawed, seeded, and shortly thereafter exposed to the sample in question. These characteristics suggest that porcine alveolar macrophages may be useful in developing a highly sensitive and timely diagnostic test for Stx.