Porcine Health Management

The use of PCR analysis to detect Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) in live pigs provides information about the infection dynamics and it may allow the identification of infected pigs before seroconversion, observation of clinical signs and lung lesions. Besides, laryngeal swabs tested by PCR have proved to be a reliable diagnostic sample for Mhp detection in vivo during early-stage infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between early detection of Mhp in laryngeal swabs and lung lesions in pigs experimentally infected with Mhp.

A total of 16 serotypes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) have been reported so far; nevertheless, data indicating which serotypes are more virulent is still lacking for most countries. Thus, updated information related to a particular geographical area might be precious.          Current techniques of APP serotyping present certain methodological limitations; cross reactions when using serological tests and inaccurate identification through Apx genes.  The aim of this work was to develop a complete set of APP typing qPCR reactions to conduct a preliminary survey regarding the current situation of APP in Spain.

Leptospirosis is presumed to be the most widespread zoonosis worldwide; it is a cause of reproductive loss in swine breeding herds and has been reported in swine from all parts of the world. Unfortunately, current data about the prevalence of leptospiral infection in swine are rare.

Infection with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae results in mucoid hemorrhagic diarrhea. This pathogen is associated with the colonic mucus layer, mainly composed of mucins. Infection increases mucin secretion in the colon, increases B. hyodysenteriae binding sites on mucins, and regulates mucin glycosylation. Here, we analyzed potential mucin epitopes for B. hyodysenteriae adhesion in the colon, as well the effect of mucins on bacterial growth.  

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is considered one of the most important pathogens in commercial pig production. It causes high economic losses due to acute or chronic pleuropneumonia resulting in decreased performance and increased mortality. Antimicrobial treatment and vaccination ensure only limited protection against the repercussions of the disease, and the excessive usage of antibiotics is no longer feasible. As other means of prevention are needed, genetic disease resistance of the host holds much promise. Previous studies have discovered multiple QTL through controlled infection experiments in crossbred Hampshire/Landrace pigs that could explain up to 22% of phenotypic variance.

Enzootic pneumonia is classified as notifiable disease in Switzerland in 2004. The incidence for M. hyo outbreaks is below 1% since 2005. In positive cases a cantonal controlled eradication has to be conducted on affected farms. This case report is reporting an enzootic pneumonia outbreak at three fattening farms and the delivering breeding farm

A breeding farm with 150 sows reported of anorectic sows with unspecific disturbed general conditions. After site visits, necropsies, molecular biological and microbiological testing, an infection of the herd with Mycobacterium ssp. was diagnosed.

Biosecurity is associated with performance in pig production. However, the importance of specific measures could vary depending on the (national) context. We analysed the different sections of the biocheck.ugent scoring system to understand which aspects are more variable in Irish farms and how different types of farms differ on productive performance.

Congenital tremor (CT) in pigs is a well-known disease problem. Affected animals suffer from insufficient colostrum and milk intake, resulting in mortality, insufficient growth and/or higher antibiotic use. The condition may have different aetiologies, including viral infections. The present study reports a case of CT in Germany caused by a novel virus namely atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV).

The transport temperature of boar semen doses is a critical factor to maintain an optimum seminal quality until the artificial insemination time. The spermatozoa metabolism decreases at 16ºC, which favors the preservation of viability for a longer period. Extenders should protect and buffer the harmful effects (capacitation, decrease mitochondrial activity, apoptotic process,...) of temperature changes during transport and storage in sperm cells of seminal doses for an optimal fertilizing capacity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of the extenders BTS vs. Long-term against the influence of the transport temperature of seminal doses.

Post-mortem collection of boar genitalia in the slaughterhouse and its later study in the laboratory is a useful diagnosis tool for the veterinarian. In the past several years, an increase of slaughtered young boars due to bad semen quality has been recorded. This fact worsens the animal amortization and decreases the productive capacity of the boar stud because they are slaughtered long before the end of their useful life. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between anatomicalhistological study (through in vivo biopsies) and reproductive problem or semen quality able to make an early diagnosis of treatable diseases, thus increasing the boar retention rate.

The number of functioning mammary glands (FMGs) is vital in highly prolific sow herds.

The induction and synchronization of parturition in sows is an habitual practice carried out in many commercial farms to improve and attend sows’ farrowing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cloprostenol (PGF-Veyx*) and carbetocin (Hypophysin*) in order to concentrate the maximum number of births. This practice increases farrowing assistance in favour of reducing stillborn piglets, improving the colostrum intake and increasing the transference of passive immunity reducing the pre-weaning mortality.

Two species of Porcine Circovirus (PCV) are well studied at date; PCV1 which is considered nonpathogenic and PCV2 that causes significant economic impact in swine industry worldwide. Recently, a new circovirus named PCV3 has been discovered in sows affected by PDNS and reproductive failure in USA and China. However, there is still sparse information about this virus. In this study we develop a qPCR assay for detection of PCV3 and perform a preliminary evaluation of this agent in Spain.

A pig unit in Ireland expanded to 1000 sows within a year. Piglets are vaccinated against PCV-2 and EP. The breeding herd is vaccinated against PRRSv with a MLV. Weaner pigs are overstocked. There is an increase of weaners losing their body condition and abdominal panting. Wean to finish mortality ranges from 10 to 15%.