We tried microbiological and pathological examination of 89 weaned pigs (aged 2 to 4 months old) from 13 farms located in 4 prefectures to investigate the present condition of pneumonia in young pigs in Japan. Pneumonic lesions were found in 81 pigs (91.0%). Although porcine circovirus type2 were detected in almost all samples (96.0%), only 7 samples showed typical pathological findings. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Mycoplasma hyorhinis and M. hyopneumoniae were often detected at the ratio of 58.0% (29/50), 53.5% (38/71) and 21.1% (15/71), respectively. Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli and Streptococci were sometimes isolated. Species of bacteria detected were different depending on the farm, except for M. hyorhinis. Nearly half of the pneumonia in the weaned pigs examined were considered to be porcine respiratory disease complex, recently defined in North America (U.S.A. and Canada) caused by PRRSV infection together with other opportunistic pathogens.
(Clinical Epidemiology Section, Department of pidemiology TEL +81-29-838-7798)
References:
Hata et al. (2003) Proc. Jpn. Pig Vet. Soc. 43:12-17 (in Japanese).
