Necrotizing bowel inflammation in suckling pigs

The necrotizing enteritis piglets is an intestinal infection in the pig , caused by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens is caused. C. perfringens strains , which produce the toxins β1 and β2 (Toxovar A), are responsible for the disease .

Epidemiology

The pathogen is usually introduced into C. perfringens -free herds by buying gilts . Usually a long time elapses between purchase and permanent settlement with accumulation of the pathogen. The source of infection for suckling pigs is usually the faeces of the mother sow.

Clinical picture

The disease breaks out in the piglets' first days of life and can be peracute, acute, subacute and rarely chronic. Bloody necrotizing intestinal inflammation occurs in the middle and back of the small intestine , which leads to bloody diarrhea with high mortality. Illnesses are possible up to the 4th week of life.

In older pigs isolated cases with bloody and watery diarrhea can occur. In the so-called enterohaemorrhagic syndrome , sudden deaths occur with massive small intestinal hemorrhages and twisted mesentery roots . The real cause is not yet clear; however, C. perfringens is very often detected.

diagnosis

Since C. perfringens is often found in the intestines of healthy pigs, only the toxin detection is conclusive.

therapy

Antibiotics such as penicillin , aminopenicillin and tetracycline are used therapeutically . Since the disease progresses very quickly, metaphylactic penicillin or ampicillin is recommended for suckling pigs from the 1st to 3rd day of life.

source

• M. Rolle and A. Mayr: Medical microbiology, infection and epidemic studies. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3-8304-1060-7

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !