Alimentary Bacteriology Practice Test

This question tests understanding of edema disease in pigs, which is caused by Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (Stx2e) that affects pigs after weaning. The hallmark is an acute, stress-associated syndrome in recently weaned piglets, characterized by sudden death or rapid progression with neurological signs such as tremors and convulsions, and marked edema in tissues like the brain and facial region (eyelids, head area). The toxin damages vascular endothelium, leading to widespread edema and abrupt clinical decline.

So the best description is a post-weaning edema disease presenting with sudden death and edema of tissues. It is not a chronic respiratory condition, not chronic diarrhea in calves, and the presentation is not limited to neurological signs alone—the edema and the abrupt, postweaning onset are defining features.