EN
Protection of weaned piglets against E.coli diarrhea depends on specific antibacterial and/or antitoxic antibodies induced by oral immunization. A formalin-inactivated vaccine, consisting of E.coli strain O149:K91 expressing the F4ac fimbrial antigen and B subunit of CT was orally administered to 3 - 4-week-old pigs. The serum anti-LPS, anti-F4ac, and anti-CTB antibodies were tested by ELISA. It was shown that the vaccine given either in two or three doses induced a strong antibody response. The highest antibody titers against all protective antigens were found on day 21 after immunization and the specific immunoglobulins were mainly of the lgG and lgA isotypes.