[Increased piglet losses upon exudative epidermitis - a case report].

A massive outbreak of exudative epidermitis (EE) occurred on a Western German piglet producing farm with 350 productive sows. Gilts are produced on site. In one group of piglets, more than 50% of suckling and nursery piglets were clinically affected; furthermore, gilts as well as sows showed localized blackish-squamous skin lesions in the neck area.

Application of shotgun metagenomics sequencing and targeted sequence capture to detect circulating porcine viruses in the Dutch-German border region.

Porcine viruses have been emerging in recent decades, threatening animal and human health, as well as economic stability for pig farmers worldwide. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can detect and characterize known and unknown viruses but has limited sensitivity when an unbiased approach, such as shotgun metagenomics sequencing, is used. To increase the sensitivity of NGS for the detection of viruses, we applied and evaluated a broad viral targeted sequence capture (TSC) panel and compared it to an unbiased shotgun metagenomic approach.

Assessment of Viral Targeted Sequence Capture Using Nanopore Sequencing Directly from Clinical Samples.

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing (SMg) enables the simultaneous detection and characterization of viruses in human, animal and environmental samples. However, lack of sensitivity still poses a challenge and may lead to poor detection and data acquisition for detailed analysis. To improve sensitivity, we assessed a broad scope targeted sequence capture (TSC) panel (ViroCap) in both human and animal samples.

[Pain and distress response of suckling piglets to injection and castration under local anaesthesia with procaine and licocaine - Part 2: Defence behaviour, catecholamines, coordination of movements].

Objective: Comparison of the effectiveness of local anaesthesia (LA) in piglet castration with the combination of scrotal and inguinal application of procaine 2 % and lidocaine 5 % to the intratesticular application of lidocaine 1 % using following parameters: adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), defensive movements and coordinated movement patterns.

Material And Methods: In 2 substudies 232 male suckling piglets (3-6 days of age) were randomly allocated to study groups. In groups L5 and group P2 lidocaine 5 % and procaine 2 % was applied inguinally and scrotally, respectively, while piglets of groups H (handling) and K (castration without local anaesthesia) were only fixated as for an injection.

[Pain and distress responses of suckling piglets to injection and castration under local anaesthesia with procaine and lidocaine - Part 1: Cortisol, chromogranin A, wound healing, weights, losses].

Objective: Comparison of the effectiveness of local anaesthesia (LA) in piglet castration by procaine 2 % and lidocaine 5 % both through combined inguinal and scrotal application as well as by intratesticular application of lidocaine 1 %. The parameters used were serum cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) concentrations as well as wound healing, body weight and animal losses.

Material And Methods: In 2 substudies, a total of 232 male piglets aged 3-6 days were included.

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli from pigs from birth to slaughter and its association with antibiotic treatment.

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to describe the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in faecal Escherichia coli isolated from pigs between birth and slaughter and its association with antibiotic treatment. Four objectives were addressed: comparison of antibiotic resistance in isolates from a) treated vs. non-treated pigs, b) follow-up vs.

Eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and of Enterobacteriaceae expressing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases on a model pig farm.

Colonization of livestock with bacteria resistant to antibiotics is considered a risk for the entry of drug-resistant pathogens into the food chain. For this reason, there is a need for novel concepts to address the eradication of drug-resistant commensals on farms. In the present report, we evaluated the decontamination measures taken on a farm contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterobacteriaceae expressing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL-E).

Clostridium difficile genotypes in piglet populations in Germany.

Clostridium difficile was isolated from 147 of 201 (73%) rectal swabs of piglets from 15 farms of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. In 14 farms, 14 to 100% (mean, 78%) of the animals tested were culture positive. The rate of isolation was 68% postpartum, increased to 94% in animals 2 to 14 days of age, and declined to 0% for animals 49 days of age and older.

Persistence of nasal colonization with livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig farmers after holidays from pig exposure.

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is frequently transmitted from pigs to farmers. This study analyzed whether an absence from direct contact with pigs during holidays had an impact on nasal MRSA colonization rates of pig farmers. Overall, 59% of the farmers did not clear MRSA colonization during their leave.

Prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pigs on German farms and import of livestock-related MRSA into hospitals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pigs and estimate the impact of this animal reservoir on human healthcare. Nasal swabs were derived from 1,600 pigs at 40 German farms. The MRSA were characterized using S.

[Investigations on clinical diagnosis and pathogenesis of otitis media et interna in swine].

A total of 25 pigs with a head tilt as clinical sign of otitis media et interna were examined. The majority were weaner-pigs with respiratory tract disorders. In lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic views of the bulla tympanica, there was an increased opacity, often accompanied by marginal destruction or thickening of the bulla wall.

Radiographic imaging of otitis media and interna in pigs.

Middle and inner ear infections have been reported as a clinical entity in swine, other animal species and humans. In pigs, the anatomical-pathological and microbiological findings have been described. In this report, we describe radiographic findings in affected pigs.