Porcine Health Management

Spatial autocorrelation is based on Tobler’s 1st law of geography:  “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related then distant things.”  This simple concept has huge implications for the way we conduct disease surveillance.  In a recent study, spatial patterns associated with the spread of PRRSV were explored using oral fluid sampling data. Materials & Methods</strong> Oral fluids were collected from every occupied pen (108 pens; ~25 pigs per pen) in 3 commercial wean-to-finish barns on one finishing site for 8 weeks for a total of 972 OF samples. 

Bordetella bronchiseptica (BB) causes Non Progressive Atrophic Rhinitis (NPAR) with reversible atrophy of the nasal turbinates in young piglets, causing sneezing, coughing, and  secondary respiratory infections (Brockmeier, 2008). To evaluate the results of 3 different vaccination strategies against BB, we performed necropsies of piglets to score the nasal turbinates atrophy, collected oral fluids for PCR (BB), and correlated the results with nursery mortality.   Materials and methods 4 pig farms were selected for this study based on similar nursery facilities, same genetics and feed source. V

Edema disease (ED) in pigs is caused by verotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli producing Vt2e. Currently, a bacteriology test is the gold standard to confirm Vt2e infection, which is a resource-intensive process. The aim of this study was to test an alternative diagnostic method for ED surveillance, based on the detection of bacterial shedding in growing pigs. Material & Methods A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted in the nursery and fattening units of 5 farms. Individual rectal swabs (RS, n=30-50/cohort) and pen oral fluids (OF, n=3-7/cohort) were collected at the entrance in the nursery, at 6-7 weeks of age, at the entrance in fattening unit, at 15-16 weeks of age and at the end of the fattening unit. Samples were assessed for Vt2e by real-time PCR.

<strong>Introduction: </strong>Pork production has experienced tremendous genetic progress, which has been achieved an increase in litter size and survival of young piglets; this resulting in an increase of piglets at farrowing and negative consequences as higher variability in weight and higher percentage of weak piglets that compromise his vitality and require intensive care. Thinkinpig studied heritability of colostrum since colostrum is the first food for piglets at birth being essential the intake to reduce mortality pre-weaning. The aim of this study is to analyze colostrum heritability and assess this parameter to include in selection programs.

Strategic medication of piglets in the first week of life is common to prevent umbilical hernias, arthritis, and other infections. In Denmark, the drugs used can roughly be grouped into penicillins/amoxycillins and long-term acting macrolides. Due to the public debate about antibiotic resistance, some farmers are reluctant to use macrolides, but in some cases the clinical problems cannot be handled by administration of penicillins or amoxycillin.   Materials & methods This study was set up in a Danish 800 sow herd with high prevalence of umbilical hernias despite strategic medication of all piglets on day 1 after birth.

PRRS infections increase susceptibility for secondary bacterial infections like Streptococcus suis (Ss), which in many Dutch farms leads to high antibiotic use in weaners. This case describes how on a multiplier site PRRS and Ss were controlled using the 5 Step Process.   Material and Methods A multiplier farm - 1600 sows - in the Netherlands produces and sells 25 KG piglets. ‘Before’ sows were vaccinated PRRS-MLV using the post-farrow pre-breed program. Piglets were vaccinated 3 times before weaning: PCV2, Mhp and PRRS-MLV. In the two quarters ‘before’ the antibiotic use in weaning piglets was considered high, primarily due to oral treatment of Ss meningitis.

Blastocystis sp. often is found as a ubiquitous protozoan parasite in the intestine of humans and animals, such as pigs. Although this protozoan was first described in 1911, pathogenesis and pathogenicity are still not clarified. Moreover its role in diarrheic processes in swine is not yet fully understood.  Material & Methods: In March 2015, a piglet producing farm in Lower Austria struggled with profuse diarrhea in weaners. Except fulminant diarrhea and wasting, no other clinical symptoms could be observed. Therapy with common antimicrobials was unsuccessful and therefore one piglet was euthanized to perform necropsy and further diagnostics.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) in the feed of weaned pigs has been shown to reduce the incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea and to improve growth performance. After the statement of the European Medicines Agency that the environmental risks outweigh the benefits of ZnO to prevent diarrhoea in pigs it is scheduled a ban on its prescription in the pig's diets. Along with this, the need for restrictive use of antibiotics puts the swine production business out of the routine strategy for preventing the post-weaning diarrhoea and in a difficult position to find a solution to raise pigs without compromising their health, welfare and economic viability. 

Lung scoring at the slaughter house is an effective way how to evaluate respiratory health status, economic impact and efficiency of vaccination on the swine farms. Ceva Lung program (CLP) is tool allowing for rapid scoring and was successfully used for evaluation of real prevalence of EP and A.p like lesions on national level. The aim of the study is to evaluate prevalence and severity of lesions caused by EP and A.p  in the Russia (RU), Ukraine (UA) and Belarus (BY) and compare main parameters with status on 2016. Materials & Methods In the period of 2017 a total number of 151 batches and 10968 lungs were scored.

The growth-promoting effect of certain antibiotics may be mediated by an anti-inflammatory mode of action. Numerous plants and phytochemicals are known for their anti-inflammatory activities and might therefore be utilised as growth promoters without having the undesirable side-effects of antibiotics. The phytogenic (plant-derived) feed additive (PFA) Digestarom® DC (BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Austria) has demonstrated a beneficial influence on piglet production parameters. In order to identify potential anti-inflammatory effects, the product and its components have been studied <i>in vitro </i>in cell-based assays and <i>in vivo </i>in a metabolic study.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an essential factor for developing Post weaning Mulitisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) in weaned piglets. Not all cases of PCV2 infections develop into PMWS, and in sows, it may cause reproductive failure and weak newborn piglets. After 2004 vaccines have been developed, both for sows and piglets, and now PMWS is practically non-existing in Danish herds. However, PCV2 is expected to be present in most of the Danish herds today. Vaccination could therefore be important to prevent PVC2 related problems in the herds. Hence, this study conducted by SEGES Pig Research Center investigated the vaccination strategies in Danish sow herds.

The impact of PRRS on reproduction in sows can be reduced by the use of vaccination. This study aimed to investigate sow performance after implementation of a whole herd vaccination programme on a farm in Serbia.   <strong>Material & Methods</strong> The study was conducted on a one-site farm with 1600 sows. Sows showed an increased rate of irregular returns to oestrus and other reproductive problems. Serological testing revealed antibodies against PRRSV in all stages of production and PRRSV was detected by PCR in aborted foetuses. PRRS vaccination was not implemented prior to the start of this study.

Antimicrobial use in pigs (AMU) has led to an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This has prompted measures to reduce AMU, which has been associated with AMR reduction on national level. However, it remains unclear how on-farm dynamics of AMU and its effects on AMR are exactly related. Moreover, it is challenging to influence farmers’ behavior towards increased infection prevention and AMU reduction. In this project we use specific coaching skills to reduce AMU and in addition evaluate the effects on AMR.

Introduction PRDC is one of the major swine disease complex and is economically important. Since it is a complex of multiple pathogens, diagnosis of PRDC is not always easy. PCR’s have become a common tool in diagnostics, both for clinical diagnosis and monitoring program. This paper is describing the developments of a full respiratory PCR panel.   Methods and materials Pathogens: PPRSV, PCV2, SIV, Mycoplasma’s, APP, Hps. Design of specific primers and probes: literature search, GenBank and unique in house post-blast software. Set up: pathogen specific PCR’s and multiplex PCR’s.

Swine dysentery (SD) caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (B. hyo) is an important intestinal disease with clinical signs typically consisting of mucohaemorrhagic diarrhea. Economic losses are due to mortality, diminished growth rates and cost of medical treatment. Diagnosis is performed using pooled faecal samples (microbial culture, PCR test). The objective was eradicate B. hyo from a large fattening unit through a cleaning and disinfection (C&D) protocol, including rodent and fly control, manure management and improved external and internal biosecurity rules.