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Il macello come stazione di monitoraggio del benessere suino: valutazione delle lesioni alla coda e alla cute attraverso il sistema ClassyFarm
No full textLa morsicatura della coda nei suini è un grave problema non solo di tipo economico ma anche di benessere animale;
Il macello potrebbe essere uno strumento utile per il monitoraggio della salute e del benessere in allevamento, andando a valutare quelli che vengono definiti indicatori iceberg come le lesioni alla coda e alla cute dei suini.
Lo scopo di questo studio è stato quello di valutare al macello, attraverso appositi sistemi di scoring, la presenza di lesioni alla coda e alla cute in suini pesanti (165 Kg) allevati coda integra e, dove possibile, compararlo con altri lavori presenti in letteratura.
Tail biting in pigs is a serious (severe) economic problem, but also of animal welfare.
The slaughterhouse could be a useful tool for monitoring of health and welfare in farm, going to assess “iceberg indicators” such as injuries tail and skin lesions.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of tail and skin lesions in heavy pigs with intact tail, means of specific scoring systems and, where possible, to compare with the results of other study
The synergistic effect of organic acids, phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex reduces Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-shedding in pigs
No full textSalmonella Typhimurium (including S.Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-) and other enteric pathogens cause acute infection in
pigs during the weaning stage, often evolving into chronic infections responsible for the introduction of zoonotic bacteria
into the slaughterhouse and thus determining carcass contamination. In addition to being zoonotic hazards, these pathogens
are responsible for economic losses in affected farms. Traditionally, antibiotic treatments have been largely administered
in order to reduce the infection burden but it favored, as a direct consequence, an increase in the number of multidrug
resistance strains. In order to overcome antibiotic-resistance concerns, new alternative control strategies should be
developed. In this context, a blend of organic acids, phytochemicals and a permeabilizing complex, administered in feed
(Group A - 459 piglets) or water (Group B – 458 piglets), was tested in field conditions for its capability of reducing
Salmonella-infection in weaned piglets of an endemic farm. Data recorded were compared to results of a control group
(Group C - 456 piglets). Zootechnical parameters were recorded in all animals, while microbiological, serological and
PCR analyses were conducted in 15 piglets for each group. Results demonstrated that additive administered in feed
improved animal weight gain (better average daily gain [A.D.G.] and increment), and rapidly reduced Salmonella-shedding
in feces. Administration of additive in feed gave better results than in water
The role of transportation in the spread of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in fattening farms
Get PDFAbstract Background Direct and indirect contact among animals and holdings are important in the spread of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of slaughterhouse vehicles in spreading B. hyodysenteriae between unconnected farms. Results Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) were used to characterize B. hyodysenteriae strains isolated from trucks. Before cleaning, 976 batches of finishing pigs transported by 174 trucks from 540 herds were sampled. After cleaning, 763 of the 976 batches were also sampled. Sixty-one of 976 and 4 of 763 environmental swabs collected from trucks before and after cleaning and disinfection operations, respectively, were positive for B. hyodysenteriae. The 65 isolates in this study originated from 48 farms. Trucks were classified into five categories based on the number of visited farms as follows: category 1: 1–5 farms, category 2: 6–10 farms, category 3: 11–15 farms, category 4: 16–20 farms, category 5: >21 farms. Although the largest number of vehicles examined belonged to category 1, the highest percentage of vehicles positive for B. hyodysenteriae was observed in categories 3, 4 and 5. Specifically, 90.9% of trucks belonging to category 5 were positive for B. hyodysenteriae, followed by categories 4 and 3 with 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively. The results of MLST and MLVA suggest that trucks transporting pigs from a high number of farms also play a critical role in spreading different B. hyodysenteriae genetic profiles. STVT 83–3, which seems to be the current dominant type in Italy, was identified in 56.25% of genotyped isolates. The genetic diversity of isolated strains from trucks was high, particularly, in truck categories 3, 4 and 5. This result confirmed that MLST and MLVA can support the study of epidemiological links between different B. hyodysenteriae farm strains. Conclusions This study highlights the potential role of shipments in B. hyodysenteriae spread. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of strict vehicle hygiene practices for biosecurity programmes
REDUCTION OF Salmonella typhimurium MONOPHASIC VARIANT SHEDDING BY ADMINISTRATION OF ORGANIC ACIDS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL IN PIGS
No full textSalmonella Typhimurium (including S. Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-), associated to other enteric pathogens and to other stressful factors, causes the Post Weaning Diarrhea in piglets. This disease is responsible for economic losses, for development of chronic infection and, thus, for the introduction of zoonotic bacteria into the slaughterhouse [1]. It is largely demonstrated the importance of controlling infection in farm for preventing disease in humans [2]. Furthermore, the increment of antibiotic resistance strains determines the necessity to find new control strategies, as administration of vaccines [3] or organic acids [4]. The aim of this trial was to assess the effects of organic acids and phytochemicals on controlling S. Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i- shedding.
Animals were divided in three groups. In group A (460 piglets), animals were feed with a base diet added of additive (organic acids and phytochemicals) at the concentration of 1kg/t. In group B (460 piglets), additive was added to the water at the final concentration useful to obtain a final pH value equal to 4.5 in relation to water hardness. The last group (460 piglets) was the control group. Microbiological analyses were conducted on feces and environmental swabs to evaluate Salmonella-shedding in a representative number of animals (15 ear-tagged piglets) of each group. The sample timing was: a week before arrival (T0) and at day 0 (T1), 15 (T2), 22 (T3), 43 (T4) and 57 (T5) after arrival. Serum samples were collected a week before arrival (T0) and at day 0 (T1), 15 (T2), 43 (T4) and 57 (T5) after arrival to evaluate antibody titers against Salmonella sp.
Results demonstrated that environmental swabs were positive before piglets arrival and after cleaning procedures. The shedding evidenced that animals were negative from breeding farm and started to shed Salmonella since day 15 post weaning. In treated animals (groups A and B), the shedding rapidly reduced and difference with control group was statistically significant at T5. The antibody titers reached the peak at the end of the trial, when bacterial load was extremely low especially in treated groups (A and B).
In conclusion, all pens were contaminated with S. Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i- and animals generally got infected at post weaning, one week after their arrive. Probably, the reason is that site 2 is a re-adapted farm which has severe structural problems. Nevertheless, the shedding rapidly decreased in treated groups (A and B) and bacteria load in feces was statistically different in comparison to control group at T5
Development and application of a new standardized diagnostic protocol for respiratory diseases in growing pigs
No full textIl complesso delle malattie respiratorie del suino (PRDC) è una sindrome multifattoriale che colpisce gli animali in fase di accrescimento e che ha un impatto importante sul bilancio economico dell’allevamento. I principali fattori coinvolti sono il microclima, le diverse condizioni stressogene ambientali associati al management aziendale, lo stato immunitario degli animali e i patogeni batterici, virali e micoplasmi. I principali patogeni coinvolti sono: PRRSV, PCV2, SIV, P.multocida, M.hyopneumoniae, M.hyorhinis, A.pleuropneumoniae, H.parasuis e Streptococcus spp. Il ruolo e l’impatto di questi microrganismi nell’insorgenza della malattia può essere complesso e le lesioni macroscopiche ed istologiche da loro causate possono essere diverse ed avere una gravità differente a seconda della combinazione con i diversi fattori. L’obiettivo dello studio è stato quello di sviluppare un protocollo diagnostico standardizzato ed applicarlo ai campioni conferiti al laboratorio con un sospetto di malattia respiratoria. Sono state prese in considerazione principalmente carcasse e/o polmoni provenienti da episodi di PRCD e talvolta sono stati effettuati ulteriori indagini utilizzando tamponi nasali, tamponi tracheo-bronchiali (TBS) e liquido di lavaggio bronco alveolare (BAL). I polmoni e le carcasse sono state sottoposte ad esame necroscopico al fine di verificare la tipologia delle lesioni e quantificare l’estensione del parenchima polmonare, delle pleure e delle cavità nasali coinvolte. Le lesioni macroscopiche sono state classificate secondo uno schema definito adattando quanto disponibile in letteratura. Tale classificazione prevedeva le seguenti tipologie di lesioni: broncopolmonite catarrale, broncopolmonite associata a polmonite interstiziale, polmonite interstiziale, polmonite fibrinosa/ necrotica o pleuropolmonite, bronco polmonite purulenta, pleurite, pericardite e pleuro-pericardite. Le stesse lesioni sono state valutate quantitativamente in base all’estensione e alla gravità utilizzando i principi dello score polmonare, pleurico e nasale. Inoltre è stato definito uno specifico pacchetto di indagini di laboratorio che comprendeva l’esame batteriologico, virologico e la PCR al fine di identificare i patogeni coinvolti. Nel periodo 2014, 2015 e 2106 (aggiornato al 30 ottobre 2016) sono stati esaminati 1658 campioni di carcasse o polmoni appartenenti a suini deceduti in episodi di malattia respiratoria durante il periodo dell’accrescimento ed in particolare dello svezzamento (931) e del magronaggio-ingrasso (727). Tra questi, 273 quadri anatomo patologici riscontrati sono stati classificati come broncopolmonite catarrale, 265 come broncopolmonite associata a polmonite interstiziale, 157 come polmonite interstiziale, 286 come polmonite fibrinosa necrotica o pleuropolmonite, 114 come broncopolmonite purulenta, 469 come pleurite, 169 come pericardite e 97 come pleuro- pericardite. Lo score polmonare medio rilevato è stato di 12,95, lo score pleurico di 1,47 e lo score nasale 0,56. Il 16,22 % dei lobi polmonari non presentava lesioni, nel 41,21 % dei polmoni non vi era pleurite mentre nel 57,51 % delle cavità nasali non sono state rilevate lesioni ai turbinati e/o al setto. Alcuni patogeni sono stati riscontrati associati a specifiche lesioni anatomo patologiche mentre altri a più tipologie di lesioni. L’applicazione del protocollo diagnostico negli episodi di PRCD consente di standardizzare l’esame anatomopatologico categorizzando le diverse tipologie di lesioni polmonari associate a pleuriti e/o pericarditi, di dare una valutazione semi-quantitativa della loro gravità e di individuare i principali patogeni e le loro associazioni. La standardizzazione di tale protocollo rappresenta un supporto utile per la definizione dei programmi vaccinali aziendali e l’applicazione di protocolli terapeutici mirati.Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) is a multifactorial syndrome which causes sanitary problems, principally in growing pigs, and economic losses for farmers. Involved factors are bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, environmental stressors associated to farm management and animal health status. Principal pathogens responsible for this syndrome are: PRRSV, PCV2, SIV, P.multocida, M.hyopneumoniae, M. hyorhinis, A.pleuropneumoniae, H.parasuis and Streptococcus spp. The role and impact of each microorganism in the disease development could be complex and severity and extension of lesions is a consequence of synergism and combination among different factors. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze samples through a standardized diagnostic protocol in case of PRDC suspicious. Principally, the analyzed samples were lung and carcasses. However, further investigations were conducted from nasal, tracheal and bronchial swabs (TBS) and BAL from alive animals conferred to a diagnostic laboratory with a suspicious of respiratory disease or from organs during necropsy. Lung and carcasses were analyzed during necropsy in order to identify severity and extensions of lesions. Gross lesions were classified according to a pre-established scheme adapted from literature. This classification involved: catarrhal-purulent bronchopneumonia, broncho interstitial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous-necrotizing pneumonia or pleuropneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, pleuro-pericarditis. Furthermore, pulmonary, pleurisy and nasal lesions were scored to determine lesion severity and extension by the nasal, pleurisy and lung scoring systems. Finally, a group of diagnostic assays involving bacterial and viral isolation and PCR, for identification of fastidious agents, was applied in order to identify microorganisms responsible for disease in each farm. During years 2014-2016 (updated to 30th October 2016), 1658 samples of lung and carcasses were analyzed. These are divided in 931 samples from weaned piglets and 727 from fattening pigs dead for respiratory disease. Lesions observed in these samples were 273 catarrhal bronchopneumonia, 265 broncho interstitial pneumonia, 157 interstitial pneumonia, 286 fibrinous-necrotizing pneumonia or pleuropneumonia, 114 purulent broncho-pneumonia, 469 pleurisy, 169 pericarditis and 97 pleuro-pericarditis. The mean of scores were: 12,95 for lung score, 1,47 for pleuric score and 0,56 for nasal score. Score 0 was observed in 16,22% of lungs, in 41,21% of pleura and 57,51% of nasal cavities. Some identified pathogens were correlated to specific lesions, differently other pathogens to more lesions. The aim of application of this diagnostic protocol is to standardize lesions in classes and to associate lung lesions with pleurisy and pericarditis during necropsy. Furthermore, other outputs are the semi-quantitative valuation of lesion distribution, the identification of main involved pathogens and their possible correlation. Finally, this protocol represents a valid support to establish vaccination programs and treatment for each farm
Development and application of a new standardized diagnostic protocol for respiratory diseases in growing pigs
No full textIl complesso delle malattie respiratorie del suino (PRDC) è una sindrome multifattoriale che colpisce gli animali in fase di accrescimento e che ha un impatto importante sul bilancio economico dell’allevamento. I principali fattori coinvolti sono il microclima, le diverse condizioni stressogene ambientali associati al management aziendale, lo stato immunitario degli animali e i patogeni batterici, virali e micoplasmi. I principali patogeni coinvolti sono: PRRSV, PCV2, SIV, P.multocida, M.hyopneumoniae, M.hyorhinis, A.pleuropneumoniae, H.parasuis e Streptococcus spp. Il ruolo e l’impatto di questi microrganismi nell’insorgenza della malattia può essere complesso e le lesioni macroscopiche ed istologiche da loro causate possono essere diverse ed avere una gravità differente a seconda della combinazione con i diversi fattori. L’obiettivo dello studio è stato quello di sviluppare un protocollo diagnostico standardizzato ed applicarlo ai campioni conferiti al laboratorio con un sospetto di malattia respiratoria. Sono state prese in considerazione principalmente carcasse e/o polmoni provenienti da episodi di PRCD e talvolta sono stati effettuati ulteriori indagini utilizzando tamponi nasali, tamponi tracheo-bronchiali (TBS) e liquido di lavaggio bronco alveolare (BAL). I polmoni e le carcasse sono state sottoposte ad esame necroscopico al fine di verificare la tipologia delle lesioni e quantificare l’estensione del parenchima polmonare, delle pleure e delle cavità nasali coinvolte. Le lesioni macroscopiche sono state classificate secondo uno schema definito adattando quanto disponibile in letteratura. Tale classificazione prevedeva le seguenti tipologie di lesioni: broncopolmonite catarrale, broncopolmonite associata a polmonite interstiziale, polmonite interstiziale, polmonite fibrinosa/ necrotica o pleuropolmonite, bronco polmonite purulenta, pleurite, pericardite e pleuro-pericardite. Le stesse lesioni sono state valutate quantitativamente in base all’estensione e alla gravità utilizzando i principi dello score polmonare, pleurico e nasale. Inoltre è stato definito uno specifico pacchetto di indagini di laboratorio che comprendeva l’esame batteriologico, virologico e la PCR al fine di identificare i patogeni coinvolti. Nel periodo 2014, 2015 e 2106 (aggiornato al 30 ottobre 2016) sono stati esaminati 1658 campioni di carcasse o polmoni appartenenti a suini deceduti in episodi di malattia respiratoria durante il periodo dell’accrescimento ed in particolare dello svezzamento (931) e del magronaggio-ingrasso (727). Tra questi, 273 quadri anatomo patologici riscontrati sono stati classificati come broncopolmonite catarrale, 265 come broncopolmonite associata a polmonite interstiziale, 157 come polmonite interstiziale, 286 come polmonite fibrinosa necrotica o pleuropolmonite, 114 come broncopolmonite purulenta, 469 come pleurite, 169 come pericardite e 97 come pleuro- pericardite. Lo score polmonare medio rilevato è stato di 12,95, lo score pleurico di 1,47 e lo score nasale 0,56. Il 16,22 % dei lobi polmonari non presentava lesioni, nel 41,21 % dei polmoni non vi era pleurite mentre nel 57,51 % delle cavità nasali non sono state rilevate lesioni ai turbinati e/o al setto. Alcuni patogeni sono stati riscontrati associati a specifiche lesioni anatomo patologiche mentre altri a più tipologie di lesioni. L’applicazione del protocollo diagnostico negli episodi di PRCD consente di standardizzare l’esame anatomopatologico categorizzando le diverse tipologie di lesioni polmonari associate a pleuriti e/o pericarditi, di dare una valutazione semi-quantitativa della loro gravità e di individuare i principali patogeni e le loro associazioni. La standardizzazione di tale protocollo rappresenta un supporto utile per la definizione dei programmi vaccinali aziendali e l’applicazione di protocolli terapeutici mirati.Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) is a multifactorial syndrome which causes sanitary problems, principally in growing pigs, and economic losses for farmers. Involved factors are bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, environmental stressors associated to farm management and animal health status. Principal pathogens responsible for this syndrome are: PRRSV, PCV2, SIV, P.multocida, M.hyopneumoniae, M. hyorhinis, A.pleuropneumoniae, H.parasuis and Streptococcus spp. The role and impact of each microorganism in the disease development could be complex and severity and extension of lesions is a consequence of synergism and combination among different factors. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze samples through a standardized diagnostic protocol in case of PRDC suspicious. Principally, the analyzed samples were lung and carcasses. However, further investigations were conducted from nasal, tracheal and bronchial swabs (TBS) and BAL from alive animals conferred to a diagnostic laboratory with a suspicious of respiratory disease or from organs during necropsy. Lung and carcasses were analyzed during necropsy in order to identify severity and extensions of lesions. Gross lesions were classified according to a pre-established scheme adapted from literature. This classification involved: catarrhal-purulent bronchopneumonia, broncho interstitial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous-necrotizing pneumonia or pleuropneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, pleuro-pericarditis. Furthermore, pulmonary, pleurisy and nasal lesions were scored to determine lesion severity and extension by the nasal, pleurisy and lung scoring systems. Finally, a group of diagnostic assays involving bacterial and viral isolation and PCR, for identification of fastidious agents, was applied in order to identify microorganisms responsible for disease in each farm. During years 2014-2016 (updated to 30th October 2016), 1658 samples of lung and carcasses were analyzed. These are divided in 931 samples from weaned piglets and 727 from fattening pigs dead for respiratory disease. Lesions observed in these samples were 273 catarrhal bronchopneumonia, 265 broncho interstitial pneumonia, 157 interstitial pneumonia, 286 fibrinous-necrotizing pneumonia or pleuropneumonia, 114 purulent broncho-pneumonia, 469 pleurisy, 169 pericarditis and 97 pleuro-pericarditis. The mean of scores were: 12,95 for lung score, 1,47 for pleuric score and 0,56 for nasal score. Score 0 was observed in 16,22% of lungs, in 41,21% of pleura and 57,51% of nasal cavities. Some identified pathogens were correlated to specific lesions, differently other pathogens to more lesions. The aim of application of this diagnostic protocol is to standardize lesions in classes and to associate lung lesions with pleurisy and pericarditis during necropsy. Furthermore, other outputs are the semi-quantitative valuation of lesion distribution, the identification of main involved pathogens and their possible correlation. Finally, this protocol represents a valid support to establish vaccination programs and treatment for each farm
Simulating the Spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Densely Populated Areas as Part of Contingency Plans to Establish the Best Control Options
Get PDFApplicazione del sistema CLASSYFARM su allevamenti suinicoli da ingrasso della Lombardia: relazioni tra consumo di antibiotici, benessere e lesioni al macello
No full textEpidemiologia delle nuove specie di parvovirus del suino in focolai di reproductive failure in Italia
Get PDFAmong the viral infectious pathogens affecting the swine industry, porcine parvovirus (PPV1) has been considered one of the main agents responsible for reproductive failure, whose consequences are summarized in the acronym SMEDI (stillbirth, mummification, embryonic death and infertility). Since 2001 new species of porcine parvoviruses, namely PPV2-7, have been identified, although their role has not been fully understood yet.
In order to fill the lack of knowledge of the new porcine parvovirus epidemiology, this study provides an epidemiological update on the viral circulation in Italy, by evaluating their presence in fetuses collected from reproductive failure outbreaks in Northern Italian farms and delivered to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dellâEmilia Romagna (IZSLER). The detection of the different PPV species was performed using four different duplex real-time PCR assays, already described in previous studies. The PPV positivity was also discussed in relation to the frequencies of other pathogens detected by the diagnostic panel for reproductive failure in use at IZSLER.
PPV2-7 new species were detected in at least one farm among those tested in 2019 and the most frequently detected species are in order PPV6-1-3-7. Positive farms for at least one PPV species accounted for 46.7% and 57.4% of the total farms tested in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Among the detected co-infections, the contemporaneous presence of PCV-2 and at least one PPV species was the most frequent epidemiological finding, as they were identified in 23.8% of the total farms.
The detection of the new parvovirus species is indicative of their circulation in the Italian territory. However, although the identification of new parvovirus species in samples from reproductive failure outbreaks might be suggestive of a potential clinical role, it is not enough to support the causal nexus. Thus, further dedicated and standardized studies considering different matrices and production categories, are needed to verify the real impact of new parvovirus species and describe their circulation. Moreover, the development and validation of a sequencing method would provide diagnostic confirmation in terms of specificity and could be the launching pad for future phylogenetic and molecular epidemiological studies
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