Impact of bronchoalveolar lavage from influenza A virus diseased pigs on neutrophil functions and growth of co-infecting pathogenic bacteria.

Introduction: Influenza A viruses (IAVs) infect the respiratory tract of mainly humans, poultry, and pigs. Co-infections with pathogenic lung bacteria are a common event and contribute to the severity of disease progression. Neutrophils are a major cell type of the innate immune system and are rapidly recruited to the site of infection. They have several effector functions to fight invading pathogens such as the secretion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are known to promote the growth of Pasteurellaceae bacteria, especially if degraded by nucleases. Methods: In this study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 45 field-infected pigs was analyzed for 1) NET markers, 2) influence on growth of lung bacteria, and 3) impact on neutrophil functions. BALF samples from 21 IAV-positive pigs and 24 lung diseased but IAV-negative pigs were compared. Results: Here, we show that neutrophils in the lungs of IAV-positive pigs release vesicular NETs. Several NET markers were increased in the BALF of IAV-positive pigs compared with the BALF from IAV-negative pigs. The amount of NET markers positively correlated with the viral load of the IAV infection. Interestingly, the BALF of IAV-positive pigs enhanced the growth of bacteria belonging to the family of Pasteurellaceae as potential coinfecting bacteria. These effects were weaker with the BALF derived from IAV-negative pigs with other lung infections. The intensity of oxidative burst in neutrophils was significantly decreased by BALF from IAVpositive pigs, indicating impaired antimicrobial activity of neutrophils. Finally, the lung milieu reflected by IAV-positive BALF does not enable neutrophils to kill Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae but rather enhances its growth. Discussion: In summary, our data show that an IAV infection is affecting neutrophil functions, in particular the release of NETs and ROS. Furthermore, IAV infection seems to provide growth-enhancing factors for especially coinfecting Pasteurellaceae and reduces the killing efficiency of neutrophils.

Multilocus sequence typing schemes for the emerging swine pathogen Mycoplasma hyosynoviae.

Mycoplasma (M.) hyosynoviae is a commensal of the upper respiratory tract in swine, which has the potential to spread systemically, usually resulting in arthritis in fattening pigs and gilts. To date, very little is known about the epidemiology of M. hyosynoviae, mainly due to a lack of suitable typing methods. Therefore, this study aimed to develop both a conventional multi locus sequence typing (MLST) and a core genome (cg) MLST scheme. The development of the cgMLST was based on whole genome sequences of 64 strains isolated from pigs and wild boars during routine diagnostics as well as nine publicly available genomes. A cgMLST scheme containing 390 target genes was established using the Ridom© SeqSphere+ software. Using this scheme as a foundation, seven housekeeping genes were selected for conventional MLST based on their capability to reflect genome wide relatedness and subsequently, all 73 strains were typed by applying both methods. Core genome MLST results revealed a high diversity of the studied strain population and less than 100 allele differences between epidemiologically unrelated strains were only detected for four isolates from the US. On the other hand, seven clonal clusters (≤ 12 allele differences) comprising 20 isolates were identified. Comparison of the two typing methods resulted in highly congruent phylogenetic trees and an Adjusted Rand Coefficient of 0.893, while cgMLST showed marginally higher resolution when comparing closely related isolates, indicated by a slightly higher Simpson's ID (0.992) than conventional MLST (Simpson's ID = 0.990). Overall, both methods seem well suited for epidemiological analyses for scientific as well as diagnostic purposes. While MLST is faster and cheaper, cgMLST can be used to further differentiate closely related isolates.

Rapid Diagnostic of Streptococcus suis in Necropsy Samples of Pigs by thrA-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay.

Streptococcus (S.) suis presents a serious threat to the pig industry as well as food safety and public health. Although several LAMP assays have been developed for the identification of S. suis, no universal assay is so far available for the field-suitable examination of clinical pig specimens. Based on the thrA housekeeping gene, a new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and validated for the detection of S. suis in the brain and joints of pigs. For this LAMP assay, two different methods for the extraction of DNA from brain and joint swabs were compared. Using the LPTV boiling method, the detection limit of LAMP was 1.08 CFU/reaction, while the detection limit was 53.8 CFU/reaction using a commercial DNA extraction kit. The detection limits of thrA-LAMP in combination with the LPTV boiling method were 104-105 CFU/swab in the presence of brain tissue and 103-104 CFU/swab in the presence of joint tissue. The diagnostic quality criteria of LAMP were determined by the examination of 49 brain swabs and 34 joint swabs obtained during routine diagnostic necropsies. Applying the LPTV boiling method to brain swabs, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of thrA-LAMP were 88.0, 95.8, 95.7, and 88.5% using cultural investigation as a reference method, and 76.7, 100, 100, and 73.1% using real-time PCR as a reference method. Based on these results, the thrA-LAMP assay combined with the LPTV boiling method is suitable for rapid detection of S. suis from brain swabs.

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus - a case report of sudden death in a German sow farm.

A farm in North-West Germany experienced a high morbidity and mortality in their sow herd. Sows showed fever, lethargy, oedema, mucosal discharge and dyspnoea. Necropsy revealed a severe fibrinous and purulent polyserositis. Haematological and histological examinations confirmed septicaemia. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus was isolated in high yields from major organs. Sequence typing of this isolate (21/455) revealed a new sequence type showing a significantly higher proliferation rate in comparison to two other isolates. Other infectious agents (influenza A virus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, Porcine Circovirus 2, african swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae) were excluded by routine diagnostic examinations. A climate check revealed an insufficient air supply in the area for the gestating sows. This case describes the first disease outbreak in swine due to S. zooepidemicus in Germany.

Sock and Environmental Swabs as an Efficient, Non-Invasive Tool to Assess the Salmonella Status of Sow Farms.

Salmonellosis is the second most reported gastrointestinal infection in humans after campylobacteriosis and a common cause of foodborne outbreaks in the European Union (EU). In addition to consumption of contaminated animal-based foods, such as poultry, beef and eggs, pork is an important source of human salmonellosis outbreaks; therefore, Salmonella (S.) control should start in the early stages of pig production. To be able to implement effective control measures to reduce the risk of pigs being infected by Salmonella, it is important to identify the serovars circulating on farm within the different stages of production, including as early as sow and piglet breeding. The aim of the present study was to assess the Salmonella status of sow farms either producing their own finishers or delivering piglets to fattening farms with a known high serological prevalence identified within the QS Salmonella monitoring system. Overall, 97 (92.4%) of 105 investigated piglet-producing farms across Germany tested positive in at least one sample. Salmonella was detected in 38.2% of the sock and 27.1% of the environmental swab samples. S. Typhimurium was the most frequent serovar. In conclusion, sock and environmental swab samples are well suited for non-invasive Salmonella detection in different production units in farrowing farms. To establish a holistic Salmonella control program, all age classes of pig production should be sampled to enable intervention and implementation of countermeasures at an early stage if necessary.

Available phosphorus levels modulate gene expression related to intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption and bone parameters differently in gilts and barrows.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary phytase increases bioavailability of phytate-bound phosphorus (P) in pig nutrition affecting dietary calcium (Ca) to P ratio, intestinal uptake, and systemic utilization of both minerals, which may contribute to improper bone mineralization. We used phytase to assess long-term effects of two dietary available P (aP) levels using a one-phase feeding system on gene expression related to Ca and P homeostasis along the intestinal tract and in the kidney, short-chain fatty acids in stomach, cecum, and colon, serum, and bone parameters in growing gilts and barrows. METHODS: Growing pigs (37.9±6.2 kg) had either free access to a diet without (Con; 75 gilts and 69 barrows) or with phytase (650 phytase units; n = 72/diet) for 56 days. Samples of blood, duodenal, jejunal, ileal, cecal, and colonic mucosa and digesta, kidney, and metacarpal bones were collected from 24 pigs (6 gilts and 6 barrows per diet). RESULTS: Phytase decreased daily feed intake and average daily gain, whereas aP intake increased with phytase versus Con diet (p<0.05). Gilts had higher colonic expression of TRPV5, CDH1, CLDN4, ZO1, and OCLN and renal expression of TRPV5 and SLC34A3 compared to barrows (p<0.05). Phytase increased duodenal expression of TRPV5, TRPV6, CALB1, PMCA1b, CDH1, CLDN4, ZO1, and OCLN compared to Con diet (p<0.05). Furthermore, phytase increased expression of SCL34A2 in cecum and of FGF23 and CLDN4 in colon compared to Con diet (p<0.05). Alongside, phytase decreased gastric propionate, cecal valerate, and colonic caproate versus Con diet (p<0.05). Phytase reduced cortical wall thickness and index of metacarpal bones (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Gene expression results suggested an intestinal adaptation to increased dietary aP amount by increasing duodenal trans- and paracellular Ca absorption to balance the systemically available Ca and P levels, whereas no adaption of relevant gene expression in kidney occurred. Greater average daily gain in barrows related to higher feed intake.

Targeting the innate repair receptor axis via erythropoietin or pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide attenuates hemolytic-uremic syndrome in mice.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur as a systemic complication of infections with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli and is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and acute kidney injury. Hitherto, therapy has been limited to organ-supportive strategies. Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates erythropoiesis and is approved for the treatment of certain forms of anemia, but not for HUS-associated hemolytic anemia. EPO and its non-hematopoietic analog pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (pHBSP) have been shown to mediate tissue protection via an innate repair receptor (IRR) that is pharmacologically distinct from the erythropoiesis-mediating receptor (EPO-R). Here, we investigated the changes in endogenous EPO levels in patients with HUS and in piglets and mice subjected to preclinical HUS models. We found that endogenous EPO was elevated in plasma of humans, piglets, and mice with HUS, regardless of species and degree of anemia, suggesting that EPO signaling plays a role in HUS pathology. Therefore, we aimed to examine the therapeutic potential of EPO and pHBSP in mice with Stx-induced HUS. Administration of EPO or pHBSP improved 7-day survival and attenuated renal oxidative stress but did not significantly reduce renal dysfunction and injury in the employed model. pHBSP, but not EPO, attenuated renal nitrosative stress and reduced tubular dedifferentiation. In conclusion, targeting the EPO-R/IRR axis reduced mortality and renal oxidative stress in murine HUS without occurrence of thromboembolic complications or other adverse side effects. We therefore suggest that repurposing EPO for the treatment of patients with hemolytic anemia in HUS should be systematically investigated in future clinical trials.

Disease control tools to secure animal and public health in a densely populated world.

Animal health is a prerequisite for global health, economic development, food security, food quality, and poverty reduction, while mitigating against climate change and biodiversity loss. We did a qualitative review of 53 infectious diseases in terrestrial animals with data from DISCONTOOLS, a specialist database and prioritisation model focusing on research gaps for improving infectious disease control in animals. Many diseases do not have any appropriate control tools, but the prioritisation model suggests that we should focus international efforts on Nipah virus infection, African swine fever, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, peste des petits ruminants, sheeppox and goatpox, avian influenza, Rift Valley fever, foot and mouth disease, and bovine tuberculosis, for the greatest impact on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Easy to use and accurate diagnostics are available for many animal diseases. However, there is an urgent need for the development of stable and durable diagnostics that can differentiate infected animals from vaccinated animals, to exploit rapid technological advances, and to make diagnostics widely available and affordable. Veterinary vaccines are important for dealing with endemic, new, and emerging diseases. However, fundamental research is needed to improve the convenience of use and duration of immunity, and to establish performant marker vaccines. The largest gap in animal pharmaceuticals is the threat of pathogens developing resistance to available drugs, in particular for bacterial and parasitic (protozoal, helminth, and arthropod) pathogens. We propose and discuss five research priorities for animal health that will help to deliver a sustainable and healthy planet: vaccinology, antimicrobial resistance, climate mitigation and adaptation, digital health, and epidemic preparedness.

Proteomic and immunoproteomic insights into the exoproteome of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia.

Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae affects pig health status and the swine industry worldwide. Despite the extensive number of studies focused on A. pleuropneumoniae infection and vaccine development, a thorough analysis of the A. pleuropneumoniae exoproteome is still missing. Using a complementary approach of quantitative proteomics and immunoproteomics we gained an in-depth insight into the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 exoproteome, which provides the basis for future functional studies. Label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed 593 exoproteins, of which 104 were predicted to be virulence factors. The RTX toxins ApxIIA and ApxIIIA -were found to be the most abundant proteins in the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 exoproteome. Furthermore, the ApxIVA toxin was one of the proteins showing the highest abundance, although ApxIVA is commonly assumed to be expressed exclusively in vivo. Our study revealed several antigens, including proteins with moonlight functions, such as the elongation factor (EF)-Tu, and proteins linked to specific metabolic traits, such as the maltodextrin-binding protein MalE, that warrant future functional characterization and might present potential targets for novel therapeutics and vaccines. Our Ig-classes specific serological proteome analysis (SERPA) approach allowed us to explore the development of the host humoral immune response over the course of the infection. These SERPAs pinpointed proteins that might play a key role in virulence and persistence and showed that the immune response to the different Apx toxins is distinct. For instance, our results indicate that the ApxIIIA toxin has properties of a thymus-independent antigen, which should be studied in more detail.

Studying the Interaction of Neutrophils and Glaesserella Parasuis Indicates a Serotype Independent Benefit from Degradation of NETs.

Glaesserella (G.) parasuis is one of the most important porcine pathogens causing Glaesser's disease. Neutrophil granulocytes are the major counteracting cell type of the innate immune system, which contribute to the host defense by phagocytosis or the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Recently, NET-formation has been shown to facilitate the survival of bacteria from the Pasteurellaceae family. However, the interaction of NETs and G. parasuis is unclear so far. In this study, we investigated the interplay of three G. parasuis serotypes with porcine neutrophils. The production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils after G. parasuis infection varied slightly among the serotypes but was generally low and not significantly influenced by the serotypes. Interestingly, we detected that independent of the serotype of G. parasuis, NET formation in neutrophils was induced to a small but significant extent. This phenomenon occurred despite the ability of G. parasuis to release nucleases, which can degrade NETs. Furthermore, the growth of Glaesserella was enhanced by external DNases and degraded NETs. This indicates that Glaesserella takes up degraded NET components, supplying them with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), as this benefit was diminished by inhibiting the 5'-nucleotidase, which metabolizes NAD. Our results indicate a serotype-independent interaction of Glaesserella with neutrophils by inducing NET-formation and benefiting from DNA degradation.

New Insights into Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NETs) Formation from Porcine Neutrophils in Response to Bacterial Infections.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A.pp, Gram negative) and Streptococcus (S.) suis (Gram positive) can cause severe diseases in pigs. During infection, neutrophils infiltrate to counteract these pathogens with phagocytosis and/or neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs consist of a DNA-backbone spiked with antimicrobial components. The NET formation mechanisms in porcine neutrophils as a response to both of the pathogens are not entirely clear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether A.pp (serotype 2, C3656/0271/11) and S. suis (serotype 2, strain 10) induce NETs by NADPH oxidase- or CD18-dependent mechanisms and to characterize phenotypes of NETs in porcine neutrophils. Therefore, we investigated NET induction in porcine neutrophils in the presence and absence of NET inhibitors and quantified NETs after 3 h. Furthermore, NETosis and phagocytosis were investigated by transmission electron microscopy after 30 min to characterize different phenotypes. A.pp and S. suis induce NETs that are mainly ROS-dependent. A.pp induces NETs that are partially CD18-dependent. Thirty minutes after infection, both of the pathogens induced a vesicular NET formation with only slight differences. Interestingly, some neutrophils showed only NET-marker positive phagolysosomes, but no NET-marker positive vesicles. Other neutrophils showed vesicular NETs and only NET-marker negative phagolysosomes. In conclusion, both of the pathogens induce ROS-dependent NETs. Vesicular NETosis and phagocytosis occur in parallel in porcine neutrophils in response to S. suis serotype 2 and A.pp serotype 2.

Temporal Patterns of Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance and Coinfecting Pathogens in Glaesserella parasuis Strains Isolated from Diseased Swine in Germany from 2006 to 2021.

Glaesserella parasuis (Gps) causes high economic losses in pig farms worldwide. So far no vaccine provides cross-protection for different serotypes, so antibiotic treatment is widely used to cope with this pathogen. In this study, routine diagnostic data from 2046 pigs with Gps related diseases sent for necropsy to a German laboratory in the time period 2006-2021 were analysed retrospectively. In the time period 2018-2021, the most frequent serotypes (ST) detected were ST4 (30%) and ST13 (22%). A comparison of the reference period 2006-2013 prior to obligatory routine recording of antimicrobial usage in livestock with the period 2014-2021 resulted in a statistically significant decrease of frequencies of resistant Gps isolates for ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, spectinomycin, tiamulin and tilmicosin. While in 2006-2013 all isolates were resistant for tetracyclin and cephalothin, frequencies of resistant isolates decreased in the second time period to 28% and 62%, respectively. Parallel to the reduction of antimicrobial usage, during recent years a reduction in resistant Gps isolates has been observed, so only a low risk of treatment failure exists. Most frequently, pigs positive for Gps were also positive for S.suis (25.4%), PRRSV-EU (25.1%) and influenza virus (23%). The viral pathogens may act as potential trigger factors.

[Performance parameters and pathogen detection in pig groups differently vaccinated with respect to Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae]. / Leistungsparameter und Erregernachweise in unterschiedlich geimpften Tiergruppen in Bezug auf das Porzine Circovirus Typ 2 und Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory diseases, mostly multifactorial, cause problems in pig farms worldwide. Next to infectious agents, such as Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) management, housing, and environmental factors are decisive for the development of disease. In a conventional, closed swine farm in Lower Saxony, Germany, which did not vaccinate against PCV2, the effect of an implementation of PCV2 vaccination (Suvaxyn® Circo + MH RTU) onto animal health was evaluated. In addition, the effect of this combination vaccine was assessed in comparison to simultaneous administration of mono-vaccines against PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In a two-phase trial, 524 (phase 1) or 521 (phase 2) clinically healthy piglets were included at the first week of life. In the first phase, performance parameters were compared in animals vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae only (group A) or vaccinated against PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae (group B). In phase 2, vaccination against PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae with different vaccines were compared (groups C and D). Performance parameters included lifetime animal losses, daily weight gains during suckling, weaning and fattening, and randomly sampled pathogen loads in serum (PCV2) or tracheobronchial secretions (M. hyopneumoniae). In addition, an assessment of the lungs was performed after slaughter. RESULTS: In the first phase, it was shown that the group vaccinated against PCV2 (Group B: Suvaxyn® Circo + MH RTU) had higher daily growth rates during the fattening period (+ 37 g, p = 0.012) as well as during the complete period (+ 16 g, p = 0.013) in comparison to the group without PCV2 vaccination (Group A). In group A a significantly higher proportion of animals showed a PCV2 viremia. In the second phase, it was shown that group D was not inferior to the established vaccination regiment of group C. In fattening pigs in week 22 of life, detection rates for M. hyopneumoniae in tracheobronchial secretions were in the range of 27-80 % irrespective of the vaccination group. CONCLUSION: Vaccination against PCV2 leads to improved animal health and higher daily weight gains. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combined vaccine studied here provides farmers and veterinarians with an additional option for the improvement of animal health in pig production.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for molecular identification of Trueperella abortisuis isolated from pigs.

The first description of Trueperella (T.) abortisuis was presented in Japan in 2009 by Azuma and colleagues. In the current study, eight T. abortisuis strains were identified by a newly developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay based on the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) encoding gene gap. Two T. abortisuis strains were obtained from prepuce of a seven-month-old boar and pooled foetal stomach contents in the United Kingdom, while the other six T. abortisuis strains were recovered from aborted foetal material of six pigs from a single farm in Germany. The developed LAMP assay showed an analytical sensitivity of 22 pg µL-1T. abortisuis DNA. T. abortisuis DSM 19515T and field strain T. abortisuis P504054/19/1 were directly detectable in artificially contaminated vaginal swabs up to concentrations of 980 CFU and 770 CFU per swab, respectively. There was no cross reactivity with control strains representing six species of genus Trueperella and six species of the closely related genus Arcanobacterium and Schaalia (Actinomyces) hyovaginalis. Further field research is required to determine the usefulness of the designed LAMP assay for identifying T. abortisuis isolated from pigs of various origins and from test samples directly obtained at farm level.

Interactive Rooting Towers and Behavioural Observations as Strategies to Reduce Tail Biting on Conventional Pig Fattening Farms.

Eight pens (25 pigs/pen; n = 200) provided with an interactive straw-filled rooting tower (experimental group) and five pens (25 pigs/pen; n = 125) with a stationary (fixed) tower without straw (control group) were compared within three fattening periods on a conventional farm with fully slatted flooring. The effectiveness of the tower to trigger favourable behaviour in feeding and outside feeding periods was assessed. The incidence of deep tail injuries was lower in the experimental group (experimental group: Odds Ratio 0.3, p < 0.001) and was influenced by the batch (Odds Ratio: 2.38, p < 0.001) but not by pen and sex. In spring, most pens were excluded due to severe tail biting. Tail injury scores were more severe in the control group in weeks 5, 6 and 7 compared to the experimental group (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Tower manipulation was more frequent during feeding compared to outside feeding time (p = 0.002). More head than tail manipulation occurred in the experimental group (p = 0.03). The interactive tower as the only measure was not appropriate to reduce tail biting sufficiently in pigs with intact tails on a conventional fattening farm. Of high priority to prevent tail biting outbreaks was the early detection of biting pigs.

Stochastic Assessment of the Economic Impact of Streptococcus suis-Associated Disease in German, Dutch and Spanish Swine Farms.

The economic assessment of animal diseases is essential for decision-making, including the allocation of resources for disease control. However, that assessment is usually hampered by the lack of reliable data on disease incidence, or treatment and control measures, and that is particularly true for swine production diseases, such as infections caused by Streptococcus suis. Therefore, we deployed a questionnaire survey of clinical swine veterinarians to obtain the input data needed for a stochastic model to calculate the costs caused by S. suis, which was implemented in three of the main swine producing countries in Europe: Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. S. suis-associated disease is endemic in those countries in all production phases, though nursery was the phase most severely impacted. In affected nursery units, between 3.3 and 4.0% of pigs had S. suis-associated disease and the mortalities ranged from 0.5 to 0.9%. In Germany, the average cost of S. suis per pig (summed across all production phases) was 1.30 euros (90% CI: 0.53-2.28), in the Netherlands 0.96 euros (90% CI: 0.27-1.54), and in Spain 0.60 euros (90% CI: 0.29-0.96). In Germany, that cost was essentially influenced by the expenditure in early metaphylaxis in nursery and in autogenous vaccines in sows and nursery pigs; in the Netherlands, by expenditure on autogenous vaccines in sows and nursery pigs; and in Spain, by the expenditures in early metaphylaxis and to a lesser extent by the mortality in nursery pigs. Therefore, the differences in costs between countries can be explained to a great extent by the measures to control S. suis implemented in each country. In Spain and in Germany, use of antimicrobials, predominantly beta-lactams, is still crucial for the control of the disease.

Exudative Epidermitis in Combination with Staphylococcal Pyoderma in Suckling Piglets.

A case of generalized exudative epidermitis (EE) is described, which occurred in a very small piglet producing farm in Austria. The antimicrobial treatment prescribed by the herd veterinarian did not improve the clinical problem. Therefore, the University Clinic for Swine intervened in the case. Lab investigations were initiated in which Staphylococcus hyicus (SH) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA), both methicillin-resistant and susceptible strains, could be isolated from the skin of affected piglets. Poor hygiene and management practices were identified as predisposing factors on site. Adaptation of antimicrobial treatment according to results of the in vitro susceptibility testing and the implementation of proper hygiene measures resolved the clinical problem. Here, we describe a fatal coinfection of SH and SA in suckling piglets.

Congenital Myofibroblastic Skin Tumours in a Newborn Piglet Resembling the Multicentric Form of Infantile Myofibromatosis.

A 2-day-old female piglet was submitted with multiple congenital, nodular skin masses located on the head, neck, trunk and legs. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of nodular, cutaneous tumours with a biphasic growth pattern and comprising a population of undifferentiated, oval or slightly polygonal, frequently perivascularly located cells and a population of spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like cells arranged in bundles. Multifocally, tumour cells infiltrated subcutaneous adipose and muscular tissue. Immunohistochemically, the undifferentiated tumour cells expressed vimentin and calponin, whereas the spindle-shaped tumour cells were positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and calponin. Based on these findings, the diagnosis was myofibroblastic tumours closely resembling the multicentric form of human infantile myofibromatosis.

Evaluation of serum parameters to predict the dietary intake of calcium and available phosphorus in growing pigs.

Adequate provision of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) is essential for bone formation and high growth performance in pigs. Nevertheless, reliable serum biomarkers for pig's Ca and P intake are still missing. Here, we used phytase supplementation to alter the dietary available P (aP) level in order to investigate the effect of differences in dietary aP levels on serum parameters related to the Ca and P homeostasis in pigs. Moreover, we assessed whether serum parameters can be used to predict the Ca, total P (tP), and aP intake in barrows and gilts throughout the fattening period. In total, 216 pigs (115 gilts and 101 barrows) were randomly allotted to one of the two diets in three replicate batches, each lasting 56 d (n = 108/diet). Pigs had free access to the diets without (Con) or with phytase (Phy; 650 phytase units/kg) via a transponder-based feeding system. Blood samples were collected on days 2, 23, and 52, and serum parameters were correlated with the daily Ca, tP, and aP intake. The intake of tP, aP, and Ca was overall 14.2%, 13.8%, and 14.2% higher in barrows compared with gilts, respectively (P < 0.001). Concurrently, phytase decreased the intake of tP and Ca by 8.4% and 6.7%, respectively, whereas it raised the intake of aP by 16.3% compared with the Con diet (P < 0.001). Serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vitamin D (VitD), and osteocalcin (OCN) decreased with age (P < 0.05). The higher aP intake of pigs fed the Phy diet increased serum P on days 2 and 23 but decreased it on day 52 compared with the Con diet (P = 0.004). Pigs fed the Phy diet had higher serum ALP compared with pigs fed the Con diet on days 23 and 52 (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis between serum parameters and Ca, tP, and aP intake showed age- and sex-related associations. With 12 wk of age, serum P in both sexes, serum VitD in barrows, and serum OCN and ALP in gilts correlated with aP intake (|r| > 0.38), whereas serum OCN correlated with Ca in both sexes' intake (r > 0.50). At 20 wk, serum Ca and ALP in gilts correlated with aP intake, whereas serum P, Ca, and VitD correlated with Ca intake in both sexes (|r| > 0.39). In conclusion, the present results showed that the daily Ca and aP intake could be most reliably estimated from serum parameters for an approximate age of 12 and 20 wk. Serum P and the Ca:P ratio at 12 wk of age and serum VitD at 20 wk of age may be used to predict pig's daily aP intake in both sexes.