Assessment of a segregated medicated early weaning protocol for elimination of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Avaliação de um protocolo de desmame precoce segregado medicado para a eliminação de Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

ABSTRACT:

To assess the success of a segregated medicated early weaning protocol for elimination of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, ten consecutive batches of 100 pigs per batch weaned at 7-9 days of age were monitored at 21-22 weeks of age looking for presence of productive cough, presence of antibodies against the agent and pleuropneumonia-compatible lung lesions at slaughter. Also, whole tonsils were processed for A. pleuropneumoniae identification by both bacteriological isolation and nested-PCR using a direct method. Positive serological test (1.4%) and PCR (3.5%) results, suggested that A. pleuropneumoniae could not be eradicated in all batches, even using segregated medicated early weaning protocol.

Key words:
swine; pleuropneumonia; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae; elimination; segregated medicated early weaning.