Field study on the suitability of oral fluid samples for monitoring of Lawsonia intracellularis and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae by multiplex qPCR under field conditions.

Background: Monitoring or surveillance of infectious diseases is crucial in terms of herd health management of livestock. Investigations of oral fluids have become an animal friendly routine strategy to monitor respiratory pathogens in pigs. Less is known about the suitability of oral fluids for the detection of enteric pathogens in swine.

Effect of stabilizers on the detection of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) in spiked oral fluids over time.

Background: Aggregated samples such as oral fluids (OFs) display an animal friendly and time and cost-efficient sample type for swine Influenza A virus (swIAV) monitoring. However, further molecular and biological characterization of swIAV is of particular significance. The reportedly inferior suitability of aggregated samples for subtyping of swIAV presents a major drawback compared to nasal swabs, still considered the most appropriate sample type for this purpose (Garrido-Mantilla et al.

Monitoring of Respiratory Disease Patterns in a Multimicrobially Infected Pig Population Using Artificial Intelligence and Aggregate Samples.

A 24/7 AI sound-based coughing monitoring system was applied in combination with oral fluids (OFs) and bioaerosol (AS)-based screening for respiratory pathogens in a conventional pig nursery. The objective was to assess the additional value of the AI to identify disease patterns in association with molecular diagnostics to gain information on the etiology of respiratory distress in a multimicrobially infected pig population. Respiratory distress was measured 24/7 by the AI and compared to human observations.

Haemotrophic Mycoplasmas Infecting Pigs: A Review of the Current Knowledge.

Haemotrophic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are a group of highly specific and adapted bacteria. Three different haemoplasma species in pigs are known to date: (.) , and ' (.

Influenza surveillance in pigs: balancing act between broad diagnostic coverage and specific virus characterization.

Background: Monitoring of infectious diseases on swine farms requires a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the test system. Moreover, particularly in cases of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) it is desirable to include characterization of the virus as precisely as possible. This is indispensable for strategies concerning prophylaxis of swIAV and furthermore, to meet the requirements of a purposeful monitoring of newly emerging swIAV strains in terms of vaccine design and public health.

Examination on the Occurrence of Coinfections in Diagnostic Transmittals in Cases of Stillbirth, Mummification, Embryonic Death, and Infertility (SMEDI) Syndrome in Germany.

The stillbirth, mummification, embryonic death, and infertility (SMEDI) syndrome is most commonly associated with porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) infections. Little is known about the occurrence of coinfections with SMEDI-associated pathogens and the associations among these pathogens. In our study, we included 40 SMEDI-affected litters from 18 different farms.

Explorative Field Study on the Use of Oral Fluids for the Surveillance of Infections in Fattening Farms by an Apx-Real-Time PCR.

Oral fluids (OFs) represent a cost effective and reliable tool for surveillance purposes, mostly regarding viruses. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of OFs for surveillance purposes concerning () infections in fattening pigs under field conditions. OFs were examined with an Apx-toxin real-time PCR that detects the genes encoding for Apx I-, Apx III-, and Apx IV-toxin.

Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of PCV Types 2 and 3 DNA in Suckling Piglets Compared to Grow-Finish Pigs in Downstream Production.

Vertical transmission is a consistently discussed pathway of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) transmission in pigs. To evaluate the presence of PCV2 and PCV3 in piglets, we collected tissue samples from 185 piglets that were crushed within the first week of life from 16 farms located in Germany and Austria. Pooled samples consisting of thymus, inguinal lymph node, myocardium, lung and spleen were examined for PCV2 and PCV3 by qPCR.

[Hind limb paralysis in fattening pigs due to a new strain of porcine Teschovirus A11].

In a fattening farm in southern Germany, paralysis of the hind limbs was observed in 2 age groups (50 kg as well as 60 kg) during a 4 week period. Despite a low morbidity of 3.3 % the majority of the affected animals needed to be euthanized in consequence to the progression of their hind limb paralysis.

Cross-sectional study on the in-herd prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae at different stages of pig production.

Background: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections before vaccination in 3-week-old piglets and to gain information about infection dynamics.

Methods: In 13 German and three Austrian farms with a known history of enzootic pneumonia, 790 piglets and 158 sows were sampled (blood samples, tracheobronchial swabs [TBS] [piglets], laryngeal swabs [LS] [sows]), and 525 pen-based oral fluids (OFs) were collected in growing and fattening pigs. Laboratory diagnostics included enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses.

Detection of porcine circovirus type 3 DNA in serum and semen samples of boars from a German boar stud.

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is regularly reported in association with various clinical presentations, including porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS)-like lesions, respiratory signs, congenital tremor, and reproductive disorders. To investigate the epidemiology of PCV3 in a boar stud, we analysed fresh boar semen and matching sera from 181 boars from a German stud supplying semen for artificial insemination (AI) to approximately 740 breeder farms for PCV3 DNA. PCV3 DNA was detected in 1.

Update on shedding and transmission routes of porcine haemotrophic mycoplasmas in naturally and experimentally infected pigs.

Horizontal transmission of Mycoplasma suis via parenteral exposure during standard practices or through bites during fightings have been identified as key epidemiological routes. However, as knowledge gaps on other potential shedding and transmission routes exist, the present study combines both laboratory experiments and field surveys to gain new insights into the epidemiology of porcine haemotrophic mycoplasmas. Splenectomised pigs were orally inoculated with a M.

[The porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) - a clinical review].

The porcine respiratory disease complex describes a clinical condition that often manifests as treatment-resistant respiratory disease of growing to finishing pigs. Its multifactorial etiology includes infectious and non-infectious factors. Besides management and hygiene conditions, particularly viral and bacterial pathogens contribute to the development and course of PRDC.

Discriminating the eight genotypes of the porcine circovirus type 2 with TaqMan-based real-time PCR.

Background: The porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is divided into eight genotypes including the previously described genotypes PCV2a to PCV2f and the two new genotypes PCV2g and PCV2h. PCV2 genotyping has become an important task in molecular epidemiology and to advance research on the prophylaxis and pathogenesis of PCV2 associated diseases. Standard genotyping of PCV2 is based on the sequencing of the viral genome or at least of the open reading frame 2.

Application of an economic calculator to determine the cost of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome at farm-level in 21 pig herds in Germany.

Background: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) continues to be a major economic issue for the swine industry worldwide, not only due to acute outbreaks but also endemic infections. PRRS disease severity and consequently financial losses can vary greatly between endemically infected farms and estimation of damage is challenging. This study aimed to assess the economic effect of PRRS in a systematic way at individual farm-level for endemically infected herds, using a PRRS cost simulation tool.

Bone regeneration of minipig mandibular defect by adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded tri-calcium phosphate- poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds.

Reconstruction of bone defects represents a serious issue for orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgeons, especially in extensive bone loss. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) with tri-calcium phosphates (TCP) are widely used for bone regeneration facilitating the formation of bone extracellular matrix to promote reparative osteogenesis. The present study assessed the potential of cell-scaffold constructs for the regeneration of extensive mandibular bone defects in a minipig model.

Detection of Mycoplasma suis in pre-suckling piglets indicates a vertical transmission.

Background: Transmission of Mycoplasma (M.) suis mainly occurs via iatrogenic or zootechnical manipulations or due to ranking fights. Other transmission routes including ingestion of secretes/excretes; blood-sucking arthropods and intra-uterine transmission have thought to play an epidemiological role without being experimentally proven.

Cross-sectional study on viraemia and shedding of porcine circovirus type 2 in a subclinically infected multiplier sow herd.

Vertical and horizontal transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) plays an important role for the spread of PCV2 within piglet-producing farms and following production steps. Further information is crucial to learn about the principles of PCV2 circulation among sows in piglet-producing farms to improve preventive healthcare concerning porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD) in downstream production steps. The present study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in a 400 sow multiplier herd in Germany with no PCV2 vaccination.

Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains.

Background: The occurrence of the novel porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) was reported from the Americas, Asia and Europe. Although this virus was detected in association with various clinical syndromes in pigs, its role as possible swine pathogen remains unclear. PCV3 was detected with high prevalence in Polish farms, but to date no genome sequences were available from European PCV3 strains.

Field study on the safety and efficacy of intradermal versus intramuscular vaccination against .

The present study compares the safety and efficacy of a needle-free, intradermal vaccine to an intramuscular one. 420 piglets (21+3 days of age) were randomly assigned to two vaccination groups (intradermal vaccination V1 (n=138), intramuscular vaccination V2 (n=144)) and one unvaccinated control group (CG, n=138). As safety parameters clinical observations, local injection site reactions (ISR) and rectal temperatures were assessed.

[Occurrence of genotypes of porcine circovirus (PCV2) in pig farms using different vaccination strategies against PCV2].

Objective: Since 2004/2005 a worldwide shift of the detection rate of porcine circovirus (PCV) has been observed from PCV2a towards PCV2b. Currently commercially available vaccines are based on genotype PCV2a. The study was conducted as a pilot study to evaluate the occurrence of PCV2a and PCV2b in farms with different vaccination strategies against PCV2.

[Detection of Salmonella Choleraesuis var. Kunzendorf in a fattening pig with septicaemic salmonellosis. A case report].

The present case reports the detection of Salmonella (S.) Choleraesuis var. Kunzendorf and porcine circovirus type 2 in an organic fattening pig suffering from septicaemic salmonellosis and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome.

Ear tagging in piglets: the cortisol response with and without analgesia in comparison with castration and tail docking.

The objectives of the present study were to compare the cortisol response caused by ear tagging piglets with the distress caused by other known painful husbandry procedures (e.g. castration and tail docking) and to evaluate the effectiveness of analgesia with meloxicam to reduce the cortisol response caused by these procedures.

Assessment of safety and reproductive performance after vaccination with a modified live-virus PRRS genotype 1 vaccine in pregnant sows at various stages of gestation.

The objective of the present study was to assess safety and efficacy of a new modified live-virus porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) genotype 1 vaccine in pregnant sows at various stages of gestation under field conditions. A total of 505 sows and gilts were allocated to two treatment groups and maintained in separate facilities. Animals of group 1 were vaccinated with a commercial modified live genotype 1 PRRSV vaccine (control product, CP), while animals of group 2 were immunized with a new modified live genotype 1 PRRSV vaccine (investigational veterinary product, IVP) (ReproCyc® PRRS EU, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH).

Low prevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 infections in farrowing sows and corresponding pre-suckling piglets in southern German pig farms.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the assumed causative agent of a number of different diseases summarized as porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD). The virus is shed via different se- and excretions of PCV2 infected pigs. Transmission of the virus occurs horizontally and vertically either by oronasal or diaplacental infection.