AN OVERVIEW OF THE IRISH PIG INDUSTRY
M.A. Martin

Abstract
The pig production sector in Ireland contributes 6% to Gross Agricultural Output. After beef and milk production, the pig sector ranks third in importance in the agricultural sector. The industry is characterised by a relatively small number of large, integrated units. Technical efficiency has been good historically. Feed costs are high and pig prices are generally below the average price in the European Union.

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INTEGRATED POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL LICENSING IN IRELAND
S. Clarke

Abstract
In this paper, the activities of the Environmental Protection Agency, formed in 2003 in Ireland, are discussed. Fees and charges for on-farm monitoring and license conditions are described. The practical implications, monitoring, reporting and infection procedures, are also described.

Aspects of water quality and the application of the Nitrates Directive are discussed, including requirements for manure storage and spreading. Last of all, the fines for committing offences are described.

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EFFICACY OF SOME DISINFECTANT COMPOUNDS AGAINST PORCINE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS
J.R. Thomson, N.A. Bell and M. Rafferty

Abstract
Seven chemical disinfectants were tested against 10 species of porcine bacterial pathogens that are common in UK pig units, using the British Standard method BS EN 1656:2000. A range of temperature conditions, two contact times and two levels of organic soiling were included. The bacterial pathogens showed widely different susceptibilities to the different disinfectants and none of the compounds was universally effective. Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Salmonella derby, E.coli (Abbotstown strain) and Yersinia enterocolitica generally showed poor susceptibility to disinfectants whereas Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, Haemophilus parasuis, Streptococcus suis and Staphylococcus hyicus were all susceptible to multiple disinfectants under low organic matter conditions. Under high organic matter conditions, the efficacy of disinfectant compounds was markedly reduced in most tests. Low temperature and short contact times adversely affected results in some tests.

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INTRA-CELLULAR ACCUMULATION AND TRANS-EPITHELIAL TRANSPORT OF AIVLOSIN, TYLOSIN AND TILMICOSIN
A.D. Stuart, T.D.K. Brown, G. Imrie, J.B. Tasker and A.P.A. Mockett

Abstract
The macrolide antibiotics aivlosin, tilmicosin and tylosin were tested for their ability to enter and accumulate inside a number of mammalian cell types including human gut epithelial cells, pig kidney epithelial cells and pig white blood cells. Aivlosin (3-acetyl-4 isovaleryltylosin) entered and was concentrated in all three cell types and was shown to rapidly (within 10 min.) concentrate in white blood cells. This antibiotic entered polarised human gut epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) by either the apical or baso-lateral surface, to be concentrated inside the cells and to be transported to the opposite surface. Tylosin entered all cell types relatively poorly, whilst tilmicosin was intermediate in its ability to enter and accumulate in cells. The greater uptake of aivlosin may be related to the presence of an isovaleryl group. Although the three antibiotics are all macrolides, they were shown to differ in at least one aspect of distribution, relevant to their efficacy in treating clinical disease.

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ADVANCES IN PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2 (PCV2) RESEARCH: RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN PROJECT NO. 513928: CONTROL OF PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS DISEASES (PCVDs) TOWARDS IMPROVED FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY
G.M. Allan

Abstract
A case definition has now been arrived at. However, not all clinical signs and not all pathological lesions will be seen in one animal. The occurrence of PMWS (Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome) is characterised by an excessive increase in mortality and wasting post-weaning compared with the historical level in the herd. At least 5 pigs per herd should be subjected to post-mortem examination.

Clinical signs include growth retardation and wasting, enlargement of lymph nodes, dyspnoea, diarrhoea and jaundice.

Presence of moderate to severe characteristic histopathological lesions in lymphoid tissues with lymphiotic depletion, together with histiocytic infiltration and/or inclusion bodies and/or giant cells. The confirmation is by using immunohistochemistry or in-situ hybridisation.

Porcine circovirus type 2 may also be associated with reproductive disease, proliferative and necrotising pneumonia, PDNS, respiratory disease, and sow abortion and mortality syndrome.

A considerable amount of work is continuing into the possibility that high viral load is indicative of PMWS. The target will appear to be cells of the macrophage/monocyte system. The primary site of replication has still not been discovered. The effect of other agents in the pathogenesis of PMWS has still not been fully worked out and this has led to the search for more pathogenic genotypes, e.g. three distinct genotypes in Sweden.

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DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM INHIBITORY CONCENTRATIONS (MICs) FOR COLOSTIN SULPHATE AGAINST PATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI OF PIG ORIGIN: CHANGES IN RESISTANCE OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS
P. Richez, N. Keck and A. Tahara

Abstract
This study was performed to determine in-vitro Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for colistin sulphate against pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs and to assess changes in the antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli in pigs, between 1989 and 2006. MIC determination analyses in Mueller Hinton agar used twenty-five strains isolated in France in 1989-1992, 25 in 1994-1996, 25 in 1999-2001 and 25 in 2002-2006. The results obtained showed a very low resistance level, despite the widespread use of colistin since its introduction on the veterinary market more than 40 years ago. Only three of the 100 strains tested showed resistance in more than 15 years of observation. Susceptibility remained unchanged between 1989 and 1992 and the most recent period (2004-2006). In particular, MIC50 values were remarkably stable over time: 0.43 ± 0.069 µg/ml in the 1989-1992 period and 0.36 ± 0.009 µg/ml 15 years later (2004-2006). The apparently higher value for MIC90 in the 2000-2001 period is an artefact due to a few strains with higher MIC values, but the corresponding values measured or observed for the other periods were essentially similar (0.86, [0.25-0.5] and 0.62 µg/ml for the 1989-1992, 1994-1996 and 2004-2006 periods, respectively).

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GILT REARING FOR LIFE-LONG PERFORMANCE:
W.H. Close and P. Toplis

Abstract
The young gilt is the future of any pig production enterprise and, like any other business investment, must be treated with great care and attention. She must be fed and managed properly to help her achieve her full breeding potential of five to six litters per lifetime. It is well established that the premature culling of breeding females and lifetime productivity impact heavily on the cost of production. Indeed, the way producers rear and manage their gilts is of utmost importance to sow herd productivity. This paper looks at some of the latest thinking on the relative importance of lean and backfat thickness at the commencement of breeding. Targets are suggested for body weight and age at mating and nutrient requirements to achieve these are given. Some feeding strategies and management requirements are outlined.

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AUJESZKY'S DISEASE: SYMPTOMS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND NOVEL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR ERADICATION
N.T. Kavanagh

Abstract
In this paper, the history of Aujeszky's disease (AD) is described, including vaccine development and eradication programmes. This was a background to a study in which the meat juice ELISA was used in comparison with serology to see if it would provide a low cost method of monitoring the AD status of pig herds in Ireland. The clinical signs of AD are reviewed and also the pathology differential diagnoses of AD, diagnostic tests, virus survival, epidemiology and serological monitoring are reviewed.

The main objective of the study was to compare the meat juice ELISA with standard serology, using the IDEXX gE antibody ELISA test kit. Meat juice at a concentration of 25% gave results similar to serum. Ten percent concentration resulted in a high percentage of false negatives. No false positives were given at 25% meat juice. It was concluded that a concentration of 20% meat juice combined with overnight incubation produced results which satisfied the objectives of the study. It was at least as sensitive as serum in an AD positive herd and gave no false positives in the two Aujeszky's disease free herds.

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WHY CHOOSE CHLORTETRACYCLINE (CTC) IN PIGS WITH PORCINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX (PRDC)? A REVIEW
A. Dereu and F. Somers

Abstract
The multiplicity of causal factors including primary and secondary pathogens, and a wide variety of environmental and managemental factors involved in the aetiology of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) are discussed. Control can be achieved using vaccinations for the component diseases and also strategic antimicrobial therapy. Tetracyclines and particularly chlortetracycline (CTC) in the feed, have been particularly useful in controlling PRDC over the years. Chlortetracycline is more efficacious than either tetracycline or oxytetracycline, with higher bio-availability and plasma concentration peaks.

In two experiments reported in this paper, Aurofac® decreased the number of Mycoplasma organisms in the lungs and also the lung lesions in pigs infected with M. hyopneumoniae and PRRSv. In the second experiment, Aurofac® was used to treat co-infected pigs (PRRS and PCV2) and they had less severe clinical disease when compared with their non-treated counterparts. Aurofac® granulated pre-mix gave a more even distribution than another granulated CTC product and a powder formulation.

Chlortetracycline of high quality that is convenient to use and with a high spectrum of activity against swine pathogens can be useful in treating PRDC.

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CIRCOVIRAL DISEASE AND PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2 (PCV2) VACCINES IN THE USA: THE US AND SWINE VETERINARY CENTRE'S EXPERIENCES WITH CIRCOVIRUS VACCINATION
T.J. Loula

Abstract
Dr. Tim Loula and Swine Veterinary Centre veterinarians have observed the effects of Circovirus vaccination on more than 2 million pigs to date. Results have been encouraging to incredible and have shed great light on what Circovirus has been doing to the pig in production systems around the world. Dr. Loula shares vaccination experiences, strategies and results in his presentation.

"The fog has lifted!" Wasting…Post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)…Porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD)…PCVD…Porcine circovirus disease …"it has all become much clearer now."

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