Vet Rec. 2016 Sep 21. pii: vetrec-2016-103811. doi: 10.1136/vr.103811. [Epub ahead of print]
- 1Department of Swine Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, Puławy 24-100, Poland.
- 2Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, Puławy 24-100, Poland.
Abstract
The
aim of the study was to determine both environmental and infectious
factors, influencing occurrence of bacterial enteropathogens in suckling
piglets. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study in 70 Polish
farrow-to-finish pig herds was performed. In each herd, presence of
selected intestinal pathogens (Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens
and Salmonella species) in faeces of suckling piglets were determined
using bacteriological and PCR methods. Using logistic regression models,
risk factors for enterotoxigenic E coli with fimbriae F4 (ETEC-F4) and C
perfringens type A were established. Prevalence of bacterial
enteropathogens in investigated herds was as follows (on herd and sample
level): ETEC-F4 30.0 per cent and 9.3 per cent, respectively, C
perfringens type A 91.4 per cent and 58.3 per cent, C perfringens type C
1.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent, Salmonella species 2.9 per cent and 0.5
per cent. The occurrence of ETEC-F4 was associated with presence of
diarrhoea in piglets and vulval discharge in sows. Vulval discharge in
sows, not slatted floor in farrowing pen and lack of coccidiosis
prevention were determined as risk factors for C perfringens type A. The
results obtained in the study revealed the high prevalence of
enteropathogenic bacteria in pig herds and indicate management and
organisation of production as factors having the greatest impact on the
incidence of bacterial enteropathogens in piglets before weaning.
British Veterinary Association.
KEYWORDS:
Clostridium perfringens; ETEC; Salmonella spp.; enteropathogens; piglet diarhoea; risk factors
