[MicroRNA (miRNA): seminal biomarkers for disease diagnostics in swine?].

The development of biomarkers for application in diagnostics, in the identification of resistance and virulence mechanisms and in breeding for disease resistance is well underway. Proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics are the all-embracing tools to reach these goals, to compete the high complexity of regulation that complicates the search for suitable candidate genes and markers. Small RNA molecules, microRNA, visible since decades, however only recently discovered, add a new quality to the "omics"-family.

[Haemorrhagic septicaemia in a pig caused by extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) as a differential diagnosis in classical swine fever--case report and review of the literature].

Domestic pig herds in some regions of Germany are permanently threatened by Classical Swine Fever. In the case of suspicion, a series of infectious and non infectious causes has to be excluded. The present paper describes a case of Escherichia coli septicaemia, with clinical and pathological symptoms that could not be differentiated from European or African Swine Fever.

[Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)--associations between sequence, function and virulence].

Presently, potential associations between PCV2 virulence and -sequence are discussed controversially. Practitioners are rattled, whether and to which extent spatio-temporal variations in PCV2 associated diseases (PCVD) on farms might be attributed to distinct PCV2 strains, differing in virulence, and if this factor should be taken into account regarding diagnosis and prophylaxis. The present paper provides a review on known and discussed functional elements of the PCV2 genome and their significance in pathogenesis is discussed.

[Genetics and disease resistance].

Genetic components of disease resistance have been described in most of important diseases in human as well as in laboratory and livestock animals. However the basic mechanisms have been established in a few examples only. The reasons herefore are the mostly polygenic inheritance of disease resistance traits, the missing of suitable animal models and the dominance of environmental effects like infection pressure, immune status, and stressors, limiting the view on responsible gene variants.

[Phenotypic and genetic variation in hematological traits of Pietrain-Meishan-F2 crossbred pigs].

Hematological traits are essential parameters for veterinary practice to quantify health status of individuals and herds. A major problem with the interpretation of hematological values is their pronounced variability that is to a great extend caused by non-systematic factors. Differences in breeds and populations are providing evidence for different genotypes in this regard, although there is no information available in swine about the nature and shares of participating genes.