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UK Pig Disease Monthly Surveillance Report (to March 2005)
By Veterinary Laboratories Agency - This report monitors trends in the major endemic pig diseases and utilises the farmfile and VIDA (Veterinary Investigation Disease Analysis) databases. The report is compiled using disease data gathered by the network of 15 VLA regional laboratories which carry out disease investigation in the field.
 Published March 2005 Highlights Late onset mortality in growing pigs associated with PMWS and PRRSV Salmonella typhimurium PT U288 causing diarrhoea in growing pigs |
Respiratory Diseases
Concurrent infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
(PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was identified in three pigs
submitted for post-mortem examination to Bury from a continuous finishing
unit in which 130 of 380 15-week-old pigs had shown rapid onset of
respiratory distress, scour, marked lethargy and wasting and twelve had died.
Gross post-mortem lesions suggested post-weaning multisystemic wasting
syndrome (PMWS), which was confirmed by histopathology. In addition,
PRRSV was isolated from the serum of all three pigs. Immunohistochemistry
(IHC) revealed pulmonary infection with PRRSV and PCV2, both associated
with the severe bronchointerstitial pneumonias.
PRRSV vaccination of
weaners was subsequently initiated. In a second similar incident, a 2000
place all-in/all-out finisher unit that received pigs from three sources
experienced coughing and deaths in 18-week-old pigs; one particular pen had
all 19 pigs affected and eight died. Severe bronchointerstitial pneumonias
were present in four of the pigs.
Dual infection with PRRSV and PCV2 was
detected by Immunohistochemistry in one pig with PMWS. Another pig had
PRRSV in pneumonic lungs but no evidence of PMWS. Salmonellosis was
also diagnosed in four of the five pigs submitted.
Enteric Diseases: Salmonellosis
A Salmonella typhimurium phage type U288 showing resistance to
Tetracycline, Ampicillin, Sulphametoxizole, Chloramphenicol, Streptomycin
and sulphonamide compounds was isolated from one of two pigs submitted to
Shrewsbury from a unit where up to 10% of the group were showing signs of
wasting, lethargy and eventually death. Other findings from the pigs included
evidence of Pasteurella multocida infection and some evidence indicating the
presence of PMWS.
Thirsk also reported a multi-resistant Salmonella
Typhimurium definitive type U288 and 193, which were isolated from fiveweek-
old pigs submitted for post-mortem investigation following sudden
mortality and diarrhoea.
Other Diseases: Fading piglets
A case of fading and death of piglets in the first week of life was investigated
by Bury. Two to three pigs per litter were affected, the problem having
increased in the last month on an indoor 200-sow unit. Three piglets aged
one to seven days were submitted all of which were in poor body condition,
dull and reluctant to walk.
All showed scabbing of the face, chin and cranial
aspects of carpal and fetlock joints. Two had arthritis and all had oral lesions
associated with clipped teeth. These consisted of deep tongue ulcers and
ulceration and necrosis of the gingivae around clipped teeth. The leg and
face lesions were attributed to trauma, with oral lesions associated with tooth
clipping.
To read the full report please click here (PDF)
Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - March 2005
