Influence of Escherichia coli infection on intestinal mucosal barrier integrity of germ-free piglets

•We studied goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells in jejunal and colonic epithelium of germ-free piglets (HC group) and GF piglets infected by E. coli (ECK group).•We investigated changes in intestinal mucosal mast cells and evaluated the intestinal mucosal barrier and its changes after E. coli infection.•We also briefly summarised the differences in the histopathological index of injury of the jejunum and colon wall in HC piglets and ECK piglets.•Results indirectly confirm higher resistance of colon to E. coli, probably due to more effective immune and neuroendocrine cells cooperation.