Seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovars 2, 3 and 9 in slaughter pigs from Belgian fattening farms

Abstract

Fifty randomly selected fattening pig herds were studied to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of infections with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovars 2, 3 and 9, and to identify risk factors for their within-herd seroprevalences. Information about 13 farm characteristics was obtained by means of a questionnaire and used to assess potential risk factors for the percentage of slaughter pigs with antibodies against each of the three serovars. The presence of antibodies was measured with an indirect ELISA. The median within-herd seroprevalence for serovar 2 was 58 per cent (range 0 to 100 per cent), for serovar 3, 53 per cent (range 10 to 95 per cent), and for serovar 9, 35 per cent (range 5 to 100 per cent). All but one farm tested positive for A pleuropneumoniae serovar 2, and all the farms were positive for A pleuropneumoniae serovars 3 and 9. There was a positive association (P < 0.05) between each pair of serovars. The within-herd seroprevalence of serovar 2 was significantly associated with the density of pig herds in the municipality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.60; P < 0.05) and with the absence of preventive medication at the start of the fattening period (OR = 2.77; P < 0.10). No significant risk factors were found for serovar 3. The percentage of pigs positive for serovar 9 was significantly associated with a slaughter date in June (OR = 2.30; P < 0.10) and with herds in which the finishing houses were not divided into separate compartments (OR = 2.99; P < 0.05).

Experimental Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae challenge in swine: Comparison of computed tomographic and radiographic findings during disease

“…Often, subclinically and chronically infected animals do not show any clinical symptoms. As App is commonly endemic in pig populations, antibody detection by serological tests does not enable discrimination between subclinical infection and disease [12-15]. …”

Efficacy of Tilmicosin Phosphate (Pulmotil®Premix) in Feed for the Treatment of a Clinical Outbreak ofActinobacilluspleuropneumoniaeInfection in Growing–Finishing Pigs

“…Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2, which was responsible for the clinical outbreak in this herd, is highly prevalent in Belgium (Maes et al., 2000), and also in many other countries (Inoue et al., 1984; Marsteller and Fenwick, 1999). Field observations suggest that biotype 1 serotypes 1, 5, 9 and 10 are more virulent than the other biotype 1 serotypes (Haesebrouck et al., 1997).…”

Role of veterinary management in increasing pig breeding efficiency: a methodological approach

“…These relationships are well documented in the literature. Previously, Maes et al (2002) and Mouricout (2004) have shown the infl uence of stall construction on epidemiological status. Thrusfi eld (2005), in his monumental work, demonstrated the decisive infl uence of veterinary strategy on epidemiological status of pig breeding units.…”