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Objectives: The use of thermal ablative therapies in the pancreatic tumors is limited because of the risk of the vessel injury and potential pancreatitis or fistula formation. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an ablative therapy with established role in the treatment of cutaneous and liver tumors. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ECT of the pancreas in a porcine survival model. Methods: In the first group, 4 animals underwent computed tomography (CT)%guided percutaneous ECT with bleomycin of the pancreatic tail. In the second group (4 animals), the intraoperative ECTwith bleomycin of pancreatic tail and head was performed. Animals were followed for 7 days and then killed. Clinical parameters, CT imaging, laboratory, and histologic analysis were performed. Results: All pigs survived the ECT procedure and none of them developed clinical signs of acute pancreatitis or related complications. There were no signs of acute pancreatitis or damage to the large vessels present in the follow-up CT scans. No significant change in laboratory parameters was obtained after procedure. Conclusions: This study shows that ECT with bleomycin is feasible and safe in the pancreatic parenchyma. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of ECT in pancreatic cancer.

BackgroundHaematological examination is an important diagnostic tool in the assessment of pig health status. The present study aimed to assess haematological parameters in pigs of different age categories from six farrow-to-finish farms differing in herd health status. The following pig categories were included: 5 age groups of growers (5, 7, 9–10, 11 and 12–13 weeks-old), fatteners and breeding pregnant sows. Individual blood samples for determining complete blood count and white blood cell differential count were taken and group samples of oral fluid and faeces were collected from each animal category in each of the six farms and tested for the detection of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV), and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) using PCR, RT-PCR, and qRT-PCR protocols. Individual blood samples were analysed using an automated laser-based haematology analyser. The following haematological parameters were reported: white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), and percentage and number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and "large unstained cells" - LUCs. ResultsOn farms free of PRRSV, PCV2 and HEV, age had significant effect on the following parameters: WBC, Hb, MCH, MCHC, PLT, percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils and absolute numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and LUCs. On farms with PRRS, PCV2 and/or HEV, age significantly affected all observed blood parameters except the percentage of LUCs. The percentages of lymphocytes, MCV and Hct were significantly lower by PRRSV while WBC, PLT, percentage and absolute number of neutrophils, basophils and LUCs increased. Significantly lower percentages of lymphocytes and increased percentages and absolute numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils were caused by PCV2 presence. Significantly lower percentage of lymphocytes and MCV and increased RBC, Hb, percentage and number of basophils and percentage of neutrophils were caused by HEV. Conclusions Alterations of haematological parameters reflected the health status of pigs of different categories on infected and on non-infected farms. Age-related changes in haematological parameters occurred in clinically healthy and in infected pigs.

Background Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are common and economically important viral disease causative agents detected in pig oral fluid (OF), faeces and serum at some infection stages. The purpose of this study was to detect PRRSV, PCV2 and HEV on six pig farms to determine which of the three sample types, OF, faeces or serum is appropriate for the diagnosis of these viruses in different pig categories. The following pig categories were included: 5 weeks-old (w/o), 7 w/o, 9 w/o, 11 w/o weaners, fatteners and breeding sows. Pursuant to the preliminary detection of each pathogen at the selected farms, OF samples, faeces, serum pools and 10 individual sera were examined, using PCR, for each age category. If any of the viruses were found in pools of faeces and OF, then faeces and OF from positive farms were tested separately for each pig category. The viral nucleic acids were detected using RT-PCR, PCR and real-time RT-PCR, for PRRSV, PCV2 and HEV respectively. Results PRRSV and HEV were detected on one farm and PCV2 on three others, positive results being more often obtained from the OF than from the faeces of the same animals. Ten individual serum samples from pigs from the same group of animals were also tested. The viruses were detected in almost all individual sera and OF in the same pig category with some exceptions: PRRSV was detected in the OF of fatteners but was absent in their sera; on Farm 2, PCV2 was detected in sera of 11 w/o pigs and fatteners but absent in group samples of their OF and, vice versa, in case of 9 w/o animals; HEV was detected in the OF of the youngest, 5 w/o weaners and absent in sera of the same age group. Conclusions The primary finding of the study is that OF is a welfare-friendly, non-invasive and highly efficient matrix for pathogen detection, thus evidencing the usefulness of pig OF as a matrix in which each of the three viruses considered can be detected with the highest probability.

Background Porcine circovirus type 3 is the most recently discovered porcine circovirus, and an emerging pathogen. In this study the status of its presence on some Slovenian farms is reported. The effectiveness of the vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 was assessed against porcine circovirus type 3. Group samples of oral fluid, faeces and individual serum samples were taken from six different pig categories and tested for presence of viral DNA, using both real time and conventional PCR. Positive samples were subjected to direct Sanger sequencing. Nucleotide sequences were analyzed and compared to GenBank PCV3 sequences. Results Positive samples were sent for genome sequencing, which confirmed the presence of virus in all different pig categories on five farms. A high to moderate correlation of strong statistical significance was found between individual serum samples, oral fluid and faeces. Slovenian PCV3 was found to be distributed in a way similar to that of other countries. Slovenian PCV3 nt sequences are highly related, sharing more than 99.5% nt identity. On one farm a commercially available vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 was used on 3-week-old pigs. It did not affect the presence of porcine circovirus type 3 in oral fluid or sera of any of the seven age groups of pigs, each with two control groups. Conclusions The results constitute the first discovery of the virus in Slovenia. Genome sequencing has revealed a high degree of similarity between Slovenian and GenBank isolates.

Summary African swine fever (ASF) is a serious disease of domestic and feral swine mainly because of grave clinical course of the disease and its strong socio-economic impact. Not only there is an extremely high mortality (95–100%) around the time of the first outbreak, live-animal, pork meat and other pork product trade is strongly affected on regional and international level. ASF is a species-specific disease; strength of the clinical signs depends on virulence of a viral strain. Exacerbation of body temperature and dysfunction of respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract are most common occurrences. Lesions can be mostly classed as congestive or hemorrhagic. Epidemiologically, ASF varies substantially among regions, countries and continents due to wide panel of different virus genotypes, population of feral swine and other reservoirs of disease, geographical characteristics and social habits of people. ASF is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa where soft ticks (Argaside) and chronically infected feral swine population serve as reservoirs. It also became endemic in most parts of Russian Federation. Since 1978, ASF is endemic on Sardinia isle, as it was eradicated in all other parts of Europe. First outbreak in Georgia in 2007 has apparently served for transmission to other eastern European countries. Slovenia is currently still ASF-free but disease has already reached some relatively nearby countries (Poland, Romania, Moldova, Czech Republic and Hungary). There is no anti-ASF vaccine currently available ad specific treatment has not been described. Therefore rapid diagnostics and implementation of strict biosecurity measures play a key role in prevention of further transmission.

Background Radiologic findings after electrochemotherapy of large hepatic blood vessels and healthy hepatic parenchyma have not yet been described. Materials and methods We performed a prospective animal model study with regulatory approval, including nine grower pigs. In each animal, four ultrasound-guided electroporated regions were created; in three regions, electrodes were inserted into the lumen of large hepatic vessels. Two types of electrodes were tested; variable linear- and fixed hexagonal-geometry electrodes. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed immediately and up to 20 minutes after the procedure. Dynamic computed tomography was performed before and at 60 to 90 minutes and one week after the procedure. Results Radiologic examinations of the treated areas showed intact vessel walls and patency; no hemorrhage or thrombi were noted. Ultrasonographic findings were dynamic and evolved from hyperechogenic microbubbles along electrode tracks to hypoechogenicity of treated parenchyma, diffusion of hyperechogenic microbubbles, and hypoechogenicity fading. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed decreased perfusion of the treated area. Dynamic computed tomography at 60 to 90 minutes after the procedure showed hypoenhancing areas. The total hypoenhancing area was smaller after treatment with fixed hexagonal electrodes than after treatment with variable linear geometry electrodes. Conclusions Radiologic findings of porcine liver after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin did not show clinically significant damage to the liver, even if a hazardous treatment strategy, such as large vessel intraluminal electrode insertion, was employed, and thus further support safety and clinical use of electrochemotherapy for treatment of hepatic neoplasia.

The first clinical studies on the use of electrochemotherapy to treat liver tumours that were not amenable to surgery or thermal ablation techniques have recently been published. However, there is still a lack of data on the effects of electrochemotherapy on normal liver tissue. Therefore, we designed a translational animal model study to test whether electrochemotherapy with bleomycin causes clinically significant damage to normal liver tissue, with emphasis on large blood vessels and bile ducts. We performed electrochemotherapy with bleomycin or delivered electric pulses alone using a potentially risky treatment strategy in eight pigs. Two and seven days after treatment, livers were explanted, and histological analysis was performed. Blood samples were collected before treatment and again before euthanasia to evaluate blood biomarkers of liver function and systemic inflammatory response. We found no thrombosis or other clinically significant damage to large blood vessels and bile ducts in the liver. No clinical or laboratory findings suggested impaired liver function or systemic inflammatory response. Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin does not cause clinically significant damage to normal liver tissue. Our study provides further evidence that electrochemotherapy with bleomycin is safe for treatment of patients with tumours near large blood vessels in the liver.

Introduction. This study assessed the effect of farming system, feeding system, floor type, housing density and gender on the occurrence of pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 400 pigs from four farms with different housing conditions. The plucks of 100 slaughtered pigs from each farm were examined for pneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis and milk spots. Results and Conclusions. Pigs housed in a large-scale indoor farm had the lowest incidence of pneumonia. The highest occurrence of pneumonia was recorded in pigs fattened in a small-scale farm in pens with outdoor access. Pigs reared on farms in pens with outdoor access had the highest incidence of milk spots. Pigs from farms using pellet feeding systems had higher incidences of pneumonia, pleurisy and milk spots than those from a farm using a liquid feeding system. A rearing system comprising concrete floors without bedding resulted in the highest incidence of pneumonia in pigs. Pigs from a farm using a concrete floor with bedding had the highest occurrence of milk spots. The lowest incidence of milk spots was recorded in pigs from farms using fully-slatted floors. Compared to low housing density, high housing density resulted in higher incidences of pneumonia, pericarditis and milk spots in pigs. A higher prevalence of lung lesions was detected in barrows than in gilts. This study showed the most significant risk factors for the occurrence of pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs are pens with outdoor access, pellet feeding system, concrete floor, high housing density and gender. Uvod. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se utvrdi uticaj tipa farme, način ishrane, tipa poda, dostupne podne površine u boksovima i pola na pojavu patoloških promena na organima zaklanih svinja. Materijal i metode. Ispitivanje je sprovedeno na 400 svinja koje su poticale sa četiri komercijalne farme sa različitim uslovima uzgoja. U cilju utvrđivanja prisustva patoloških promena na unutrašnjim organima svinja, kompleti organa (pluća, srce i jetra) od 100 svinja sa svake farme su pregledani adspekcijom i palpacijom na liniji klanja na prisustvo pneumonija, pleuritisa, perikarditisa i mlečnih pega na jetri. Rezultati i zaključak. Svinje uzgajane na farmi velikog kapaciteta u boksovima bez ispusta su imale najmanju učestalost pneumonija, dok je najveća prevalencija patoloških promena na plućima zabeležena kod svinja sa farme malog kapaciteta koje su uzgajane u boksovima sa ispustom. Kod životinja koje su uzgajane na farmama u boksovima sa ispustom utvrđena je najveća učestalost mlečnih pega na jetri. Ishrana svinja peletiranom hranom rezultirala je većom pojavom pneumonija, pleuritisa i mlečnih pega na jetri u poređenju sa ishranom svinja kašastom hranom. Uzgoj svinja na betonskom podu bez prostirke rezultirao je najvećom pojavom pneumonija. Najveća učestalost mlečnih pega na jetri zabeležena je kod svinja koje su uzgajane na betonskom podu sa prostirkom, a najmanja pojava mlečnih pega na jetri je utvrđena kod svinja koje su držane na celorešetkastom podu. U poređenju sa malom dostupnom podnom površinom u boksovima, velika dostupna podna površina u boksovima imala je za posledicu veću učestalost pojave pneumonija, perikarditisa i mlečnih pega. Kod kastrata je utvrđena veća učestalost patoloških promena na plućima u poređenju sa nazimicama. Na osnovu rezultata ovog istraživanja može se zaključiti da su boksovi sa ispustom, ishrana peletiranom hranom, uzgoj na betonskom podu, mala dostupna podna površina u boksovima i pol najznačajni faktori rizika za pojavu patoloških promena na organima svinja.

Over the last few years several porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) outbreaks have been discovered in Europe including the first PED case in Slovenia in January 2015. The aim of this study was to determine when PED virus (PEDV) infection started in Slovenia. Serum samples collected between 2012 and 2016 were tested. Three hundred and seventy-five serum samples were collected from 132 Slovenian small, one-site pig farms. Samples were tested for PEDV antibodies utilising three different serological methods: commercially-available indirect ELISA, in-house blocking ELISA test and Immunoperoxidase Monolayer Assay (IPMA) test. One hundred and seventy (45.33%) tested samples were found positive by the commercially-available ELISA test kit, and 10 (5.68%) of these 170 samples found positive were positive by the in-house blocking ELISA. Only these 10 samples were collected from a farm where clinical signs of PED infection had been observed and PEDV was confirmed by RT-PCR methodology; the other 160 samples were collected randomly. Thirty-two samples with the highest S/P value obtained with the commercial ELISA were all negative with IPMA. Reasons for the high variance in the results obtained remain unclear; more research is required to ensure higher sensitivity and specificity in terms of PEDV antibody tests and other PED diagnostic methods.

During the last decade, African swine fever (ASF) has spread from the Caucasus region to eastern European Union (EU) countries affecting domestic pig and wild boar populations. In order to avert ASF spread, mitigation measures targeting both populations have been established. However, despite these efforts, ASF has been reported in thirteen different countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Czech Republic and Romania). In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment to ASF, introduction and spread of ASF onto domestic pig farms can only be prevented by strict compliance to control measures. This study systematically reviewed available measures to prevent the spread of ASF in the EU domestic pig sector distinguishing between commercial, non-commercial and outdoor farms. The search was performed in PubMed and using a common browser. A total of 52 documents were selected for the final review process, which included scientific articles, reports, EU documents and official recommendations, among others. From this literature review, 37 measures were identified as preventive measures for the introduction and spread of ASF. Subsequently, these measures were assessed by ASF experts for their relevance in the mitigation of ASF spread on the three mentioned types of farms. All experts agreed that some of the important preventive measures for all three types of farms were: the identification of animals and farm records; strict enforcement of the ban on swill feeding; and containment of pigs, so as to not allow direct or indirect pig - pig and/or pig - wild boar contacts. Other important preventive measures for all farms were education of farmers, workers and operators; no contact between farmers and farm staff and external pigs; appropriate removal of carcasses, slaughter residues, and food waste; proper disposal of manure and dead animals, and abstaining from hunting activities during the previous 48 hours (allowing a 48 hour interval between hunting and being in contact with domestic pigs). Finally, all experts identified that the important preventive measures for non-commercial and outdoor farms, is to improve access of those farms to veterinarians and health services.

Background: Surgical castration of male piglets is frequently performed to prevent development of an unpleasant taste and flavor in meat of mature males, called boar taint. Disadvantages of this method are primarily related to the lower feed efficiency of surgically castrated male pigs, production of less lean meat and more fat on the carcasses than boars, as well as ethical issues associated with the procedure itself. Immunocastration is a method of immunization against gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) and represents an alternative to avoid boar taint. This study aimed to examine the influence of immunocastration on histological and morphometric parameters of male pig testes.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 60 crossbred male pigs selected from 30 litters were assigned to two experimental groups: boars (n = 30) and immunocastrated males (n = 30). Two doses (2 mL per dose) of the Improvac® vaccine were given to pigs scheduled for immunocastration. The first injection was given at 10 weeks of age, and the second injection at 20 weeks of age. All pigs were fed the same commercial diet ad libitum, group-housed (15 pigs/pen) and slaughtered at 25 weeks of age. After slaughter, testicle weights were measured and samples of testicular tissue were taken for histological examination. Immunocastrated males had lower testicle weights than boars (P < 0.01). Furthermore, structural damage to the germinal epithelium was visible in the seminiferous tubules of vaccinated pigs. In the testicular interstitium of these animals, the number of Leydig cells were reduced; almost all of these cells exhibited different degrees of abnormality. Moreover, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and thickness of the germinal epithelium were greater (P < 0.01), and the percentage of germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules as well as percentage of blood vessels in the interstitium were higher in boars as compared to immunocastrated males (P < 0.01). Seminiferous tubule lumen diameter was greater (P < 0.01), and percentage of lumen in the seminiferous tubules as well as percentage of non-blood vessel tissue in the interstitium were higher in immunocastrated males than boars (P < 0.01).Discussion: Vaccination against GnRH, as used in this study, reduced the synthesis of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which led to decreased spermatogenesis and androgen production. The smaller diameter of the seminiferous tubules as well as germinal epithelium thickness, and lower percentage of germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules in immunocastrated males could be explained by reduced FSH synthesis, and subsequent reduced spermatogenesis. The described testicular malformations in immunocastrated animals caused their lower weight, and greater diameter of the lumen as well as a higher lumen percentage of the seminiferous tubules. The vaccine reduced LH synthesis, so the Leydig cells of immunocastrated animals had lower activity than the same cells in boars. The percentage of blood vessels in the interstitium of boar testes was higher, which was related to the blood supply required for normal function of Leydig cells. It was concluded that differences existed in the structure of the seminiferous tubules and interstitium between boars and immunocastrated males , which were reflected in values of the examined histological and morphometric parameters. The development of these differences was related to the inhibition of GnRH synthesis and secretion.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has become one of the most economically important diseases for the swine industry worldwide. The objective of the study was to determine selected blood antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), biochemical and haematological parameters in PRRS positive and negative pigs of three different categories, mainly to test oxidative stress hypothesis in pigs naturally infected with PRRS virus. Ninety PRRS positive and 90 PRRS negative pigs were included in the study. The presence of PRRS was confirmed by serological detection of antibodies against PRRS virus (PRRSV) and detection of PRRS viral RNA by RT-PCR. Pigs were further divided into three groups of 30: piglets just before weaning (weaners), fatteners and finishers. Blood samples for determining selected blood parameters were collected from the vena cava cranialis. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher activities of SOD in weaners and fatteners and of GPX in weaners were determined in PRRS positive pigs than in corresponding groups of PRRS negative pigs. In contrast, significantly (P < 0.05) lower GPX activity was observed in finishers of PRRS positive pigs than in the corresponding group of PRRS negative pigs. Concentrations of serum total protein in PRRS positive weaners and fatteners were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those found in PRRS negative pigs. Leukopenia was observed in all three groups of PRRS positive pigs. It has been demonstrated, for the first time, that oxidative stress might be increased in PRRSV naturally infected pigs, especially in weaners.

The large heterogeneity among porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolates is probably the main obstacle to its effective control using current commercial vaccines. Intentionally exposing all breeding pigs to PRRSV circulating on the farm could eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) from the herd. The objective of this study was to eliminate PRRS from a farrow-to-finish pig farm by serum inoculation. The owner was acquainted with the strict biosecurity measures. Breeding pigs were immunised with serum, which was obtained from PRRSV-positive weaners from the same farm. The percent of antibody high positive breeding pigs decreased six months after serum inoculation, while 34 months after serum inoculation no more antibody high positive pigs were detected and 56.8% of breeding pigs and all other categories were free of antibodies. In the breeding herd no virus was detected during all testing while PRRSV circulated in 2-month-old weaners until 12 months after serum inoculation. Later all tested samples from weaners, growers and fatteners were negative. Herd closure and the adoption of strict biosecurity measures are essential. Serum inoculation of the breeding herd proved to be a successful measure for eliminating PRRS from this farrow-to-finish farm.

Blood samples were collected between 2012 and 2014 on 16 small one-site pig farms with 34 to 79 breeding animals. 1636 serum samples of breeding animals and 815 serum samples of fatteners were tested with IDEXX PRRS ELISA. 1054 samples (from 7 small farms) were screened with one step RT-PCR (Qiagen, Germany) using sequences based on the open reading frame 7 (ORF7), which detect Type 1 and Type 2 PRRSV strains respectively. 81 serum samples of breeding animals and 85 serum samples of fatteners were tested with Swine Salmonella Antibody Test Kit (IDEXX) and CHEKIT*APP-ApxIV (IDEXX). 80 serum samples of sows were assayed for leptospira antibody using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) were detected in 67.5% of breeding animals and in 41.1% fatteners. By RT-PCR, PRRSV was detected in 7.9% of serum samples. The seroprevalence to salmonella in breeding animals was 21% and in fatteners 5.8%. The prevalence against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) antibodies was 87.6% in breeding animals and 49.4% in fatteners. Three farms were positive to leptospirosis (serovar hardjo, serovar grippotyphosa). We suggested farms free of PRRS to continue with biosecurity practices and 11 farms with PRRS we had suggested biosecurity measures and herd closure. Almost all breeding animals had antibodies against APP, though clinical signs were not present. Seroprevalence of salmonella in Slovenia is low. 3 pig farms had leptospirosis. All tree farms treated infected pigs., {"references":["BATISTA, I., PIJOAN, C., TORREMORELL, M.: Experimental infection of gilts with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) during acclimatization. J. Swine Health Prod., 10:147–150, 2002.","DONADEU, M., ARIAS, M., GOMEZ-TEJEDOR C. et al.: Using polymerase chain reaction to obtain PRRS-free piglets from epidemically infected herds. J. Swine Health Prod., 7:255-261, 1999.","ELLIS, W.A.: Leptospirosis. In: Diseases of swine (B.E. Straw, J.J. Zimmerman, S. D'Allaire, D.J. Taylor, eds.). Blackwell Publishing, Ames, pp. 691-700.","GILLESPIE, T.G., CAROLL, A.L.: Techniques for PRRSV elimination utilizing modified live virus vaccines on single-site swine farms. Proceedings of the 4th International symposium on emerging and re-emerging pig diseases, Rome, Italy, 29 June -2 July, 2003, pp. 127–128.","GOLINAR, I.: Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) in Slovenia, preliminary results. Proceedings of the 17th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Ames, USA, 2-5 June, 2002, pp. 325.","GOTTSCHALK, M., BROES, A., FITTIPALDI, N.: Recent developments on Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Proc. Am. Assoc. Swine Vet.: 387-393, 2003.","GOTTSCHALK, M., TAYLOR D.J.: Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. In: Diseases of swine (B.E. Straw, J.J. Zimmerman, S. D'Allaire, D.J. Taylor, eds.). Blackwell Publishing, Ames, pp.563-576, 2006.","GRIFFITH, R.W., SCHWARTZ, K.J., MEYERHOLT, D.K.: Salmonella. In: Diseases of swine (B.E. Straw, J.J. Zimmerman, S. D'Allaire, D.J. Taylor, eds.). Blackwell Publishing, Ames, pp. 739-754, 2006.","PITKIN, A., OTAKE, S., DEE, S.: Biosecurity protocols for the prevention of spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Swine Disease Eradication Center, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, 2011, pp. 17. http:// www.aasv.org/aasv/VIRUS PRRS_BiosecurityManual.pdf (5.11.2012)","STADEJEK, T., STANKIEWICZ, I., PESJAK, Z.: Concurrent circulation of PRRSVEU and PRRS-US within swine herd in Poland. Proceedings of the 4th International symposium on emerging and re-emerging pig diseases, Rome, Italy, 29 June -2 July, 2003, pp. 67–68.","ŠTUKELJ, M., GOLINAR OVEN, I., VALENČAK, Z.: Assessment of salmonella prevalence on large pig farm with serological testing in finishing pigs. Compt. Rend. Bulg.,Sci., 62(8)1031-1038, 2009.","ŠTUKELJ, M.: Elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) with natural exposure, serumization and vaccination. PhD Thesis, Veterinary Faculty, Slovenia, Ljubljana, 2013.","TOMA, B., VAILLANCOURT, J.P., DUFOUR, B., et al.: Dictionary of veterinary epidemiology. Iowa State University press, Ames, pp. 83, 1991.","TOPLAK, I., ŠTUKELJ, M., ZABAVNIK PIANO, J., HOSTNIK, P., GROM, J., VALENČAK Z.: Študija o pojavnosti prašičjega reproduktivnega in respiratornega sindroma (PRRS) v Sloveniji v letu 2010. Veterinarska fakulteta, Ljubljana, pp. 1-40, 2010.","TORREMORELL, M., CHRISTIANSON, W.T.: PRRS eradication by herd closure. Adv. Pork. Prod., 13:169-176, 2002.","VALENČAK, Z.: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Slovenia: evaluation of serology. Slov. Vet. Res., 41(2)99-101, 2006."]}

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is one of the disease among the porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD). PMWS has a significant economic impact on global pig industry. Porcine circovirus type 2 has been circulating in pigs for many years before being linked to disease. PMWS has been reported from all major pig-producing countries. Infection with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is necessary for PMWS to develop, but most research has shown that PCV2 needs one or more co-factors for PMWS to develop into severe and even fatal disease. The confirmation of PMWS should be based on certain criteria such are clinical signs (growth retardation and wasting, frequently with dyspnea and enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes and occasionally with jaundice), moderate to severe characteristic histopathological lesions in lymphoid tissues, moderate to high amounts of PCV2 within the lesions in lymphoid and other tissues and mortality in excess of expected or/and historical level for the farm. Introduction of PCV2 vaccines significantly changed the impact of PCV2 on the pig production globally.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is currently the most important swine disease worldwide. A variety of strategies have been described for PRRS eradication. The study involved six one-site small pig farms where the reproductive problems were observed. The owners were acquainted with strict biosecurity and herd closure for at least 200 days. Serum samples were tested with IDEXX X3 PRRS ELISA for antibodies detection and with one step RT-PCR (Qiagen, Germany). Production results after serumization improved 3 months after on both farms. Herds were also without virus. On farm 1 new boar without quarantine and new gilts were introduced in to the breeding herd. Eleven months after serumization production results decreased and same strain of PRRS virus was present in herd. Breeding herd on farm 2 is 13 months without PRRS virus. Only in group of growers of 10 weeks PRRS virus persists but the subtype of it is new. After natural exposure on both farms number of seropositive pigs was decreased and fatteners were seronegative. Both farms were also without PRRS virus. After vaccination on farm 5 production results improved and also number of high seropositive animals decreased. Fourteen months after vaccination number of seropositive pigs increased and production results decreased. Results from second vaccinated farm were similar. Natural exposure with implementation the strict biosecurity protocols and improvement of management are the key factors for successful eradication of PRRS. At the moment serumization and vaccination are the methods with limited success.

Salmonella infections of swine are of concern for two major reasons. The first is the clinical disease (salmonellosis) in swine that may result, and the second is that swine can be infected with a broad range of Salmonella serovars that can be a source of contamination of pork products. The genus Salmonella is morphologically and biochemically homogeneous group of Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacilli with peritrichous flagella (Griffith et al., 2006). According to their biochemical characteristics it is divided in two species Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. Salmonella enterica is further divided in six subspecies. Regarding their antigenic structure of somatic (O), flagellar (H) and capsular (Vi) antigens they are divided in serovars. Traditionally the serovars of subspecies enterica, which account for more than 99.5% of isolated Salmonella strains, have names, while all the others are named by their antigenic formula only (Grimont and Weill, 2007). Final differentiation within serovars is carried out by phage typing, plasmid profiling, restriction endonuclease analysis and resistance patterns. Serovars Typhimurium, Derby, Saintpaul, Infantis, Heidelberg, Typhisuis and Choleraesuis may all occur in pigs (Taylor, 2006).

A total 91 serum samples and 51 pig tissue samples were collected between October 2009 and June 2010 from 30 herds, where a clinical picture of infection or/and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) antibody-positive pigs were detected. Of the 142 samples tested, 65 (45.8%) were identified as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) positive by a one-step reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The sequencing results of 258 nucleotides in ORF7 from 30 herds with PRRSV-positive samples revealed the circulation of six genetically different strains of PRRSV, all belonging to the Subtype 1 (Type I). Twenty-three (76.6%) of the thirty positive herds were infected with a genetically identical cluster, with 98.9–100% nucleotide identity between the herds, representing the detection of a new strain of PRRSV in Europe, not published previously. From these 23 herds, positive PRRSV samples were detected with gel-based RT-PCR, but all gave false-negative results with two commercial real-time kits. When using a third commercial real-time kit, 28 (93.3%) of 30 positive samples in gel-based RT-PCR were detected as the Type I, confirming that the sensitivity of this real-time kit is much greater than the sensitivity of the previous two. The influence of new genetic variants of PRRSV circulating in Slovenia on molecular diagnosis and the control of the infection is discussed.

Background The abolition of in-feed antibiotics or chemotherapeutics as growth promoters have stimulated the swine industry to look for alternatives such as organic acids, botanicals, probiotics and tannin. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a combination of acids and tannin with diet with organic acids and diet without growth promoters on the growth performance and selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters in grower pigs. Tannin is more natural and cheaper but possibly with the same effectiveness as organic acids with regard to growth performance. Methods Thirty-six 7 week old grower pigs, divided into three equal groups, were used in a three week feeding trial. Group I was fed basal diet, group II basal diet with added organic acids and group III basal diet with added organic and inorganic acids and tannin. Pigs were weighed before and after feeding and observed daily. Blood was collected before and after the feeding trial for the determination of selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters. One-way ANOVA was used to assess any diet related changes of all the parameters. Paired t-test was used to evaluate changes of blood parameters individually in each group of growers before and after feeding. Results No clinical health problems related to diet were noted during the three week feeding trial. The average daily gain (ADG) and selected blood parameters were not affected by the addition to basal diet of either acids and tannin or of organic acids alone. Selected blood parameters remained within the reference range before and after the feeding trial, with the exception of total serum proteins that were below the lower value of reference range at both times. The significant changes (paired t-test) observed in individual groups before and after the feeding trial are related to the growth of pigs. Conclusion Diet with acids and tannin did not improve the growth performance of grower pigs but had no deleterious effects on selected blood parameters. The possibility of beneficial effects of adding acids and tannin in diets on growth performance over a longer period, however, could not be excluded.