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ABSTRACT The utilization of antimicrobials in animal production, causes selection of resistant bacteria. The objective of this study was to compare the utilization of alternatives in association with preventive antibiotic therapy in swine feed during the growing and finishing phases. 1,045 animals were used from 60 to 190 days of age and were subjected to six treatments with 16 repetitions as follows: 1) antibiotic free; 2) antibiotics; 3) prebiotic; 4) probiotic; 5) essential oils; and 6) organic acid. Animals were weighted, and clinical history was recorded including mortality and diarrhea. At the abattoir, pneumonia index and gastric ulcers were investigated. The cost for each treatment was discussed. No difference between treatments were observed (P>0.05) regarding feed conversion rate (2.64±0.03), overall average weight gain (107.06±0.9kg), average daily weight gain (856.49±7.7g) and carcass weight (92.4±0.7kg). The application injectable drugs in animals presenting clinical symptoms, represented US$ 0.56/intervention, without difference between the treatments (P>0.05). Furthermore, independently of the treatment, high frequency of pneumonia was observed (>0.90). No difference for the degree of gastric ulcer nor feces consistency were observed (P>0.05). The utilization of antibiotic therapy and alternatives to antibiotics in feed did not produce benefits to the production indices and sanitary performances of the animals.

Testou-se o efeito do plasma suíno ultrafiltrado spray-dried, associado a um acidificante comercial na água de bebida para a recuperação de leitões com sinais clínicos da síndrome multissistêmica do definhamento dos suínos (SMDS). Utilizaram-se 40 leitões com sinais clínicos da SMDS, selecionados 20 dias após o alojamento em uma unidade de terminação, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos (T) de 10 leitões cada. No T1, os animais receberam água clorada à vontade (controle); no T2, solução com 2,5% do plasma sangüíneo diluído em água; no T3, acidificante (Selko®) diluído em água na dosagem de 12ml/10l e, no T4, solução com 2,5% do plasma sangüíneo e o acidificante na dose de 12ml/10l, diluídos em água. Os leitões não foram medicados e foram sacrificados aos 28 ou 40 dias de experimento para avaliação sorológica e patológica. Não houve diferença no ganho de peso e na situação clínica-patológica entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, os leitões do T4 estavam em melhor situação clínica-patológica. Os leitões dos quatro tratamentos tiveram boa recuperação, sem terem sido medicados. Observou-se alta freqüência de lesões compatíveis com a SMDS nos pulmões, rins e linfonodos. Concluiu-se que o plasma spray dried associado ao ácido não melhoraram o desempenho e a situação clínica-patológica de leitões com sintomas da SMDS.The effect of the ultra-filtered spray-dried porcine plasma, associated to a commercial acid in the drinking water was tested for recovering pigs with clinical signs of the porcine postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Forty piglets with clinical signs of the PMWS were used following a selection at 20 days after their housing in one finishing facility. They were divided in four treatment groups (T) of 10 pigs each: T1 - chlorine treated water ad libitum (control); T2 - solution prepared with 2.5% of plasma diluted in water; T3 - acid (Selko® ) diluted in water at the concentration of 12 ml/10l; T4 - solution prepared with 2.5% of plasma diluted and the acid (Selko® ) diluted in water at the concentration of 12 ml/10l. The pigs received no medication and were euthanized at 28 or 40 days after the beginning of the experiment for serological and pathological tests. Differences at the weight gain and in the clinical-pathological situation were not observed among the treatments. However, pigs from T4 were in better clinical-pathological situation. The pigs of all four treatments showed a good recovery, although they were not medicated. Even though, it was observed a high frequency of lesions compatible to PMWS in the lungs, kidneys and lymph nodes. It was concluded that the plasma spray-dried associated to the acid did not improve the performance and the clinical-pathological situation of pigs with clinical signs of PMWS.

Avaliou-se a eficiência do teste de tuberculina intradérmico comparado, para identificar rebanhos suínos infectados com o complexo Mycobacterium avium (MAC), seu poder de discriminação entre rebanhos infectados com MAC e Mycobacterium bovis, e para estudar diferentes critérios de leitura e interpretação. Foram realizados três experimentos com rebanhos infectados naturalmente com MAC, com suínos inoculados com MAC e com suínos inoculados com M. bovis. Os testes foram comparados com a presença ou não de lesões macro e/ou microscópicas nos linfonodos de suínos em idade de abate. Verificaram-se reações cruzadas entre os testes intradérmicos, tanto com animais infectados com o MAC como com M. bovis. Reações acima de 0,5cm de diâmetro ou acima de 0,20cm no aumento da espessura da dobra da pele, entre a aplicação e a leitura, foram consideradas positivas no cálculo da média para rebanhos. Rebanhos infectados com MAC podem ser identificados por meio do teste intradérmico com PPD aviário e bovino. Tanto a medida do diâmetro quanto o aumento da espessura da dobra da pele das reações foram eficientes no diagnóstico da infecção por MAC. Recomenda-se a utilização do método da medição do diâmetro.The efficiency of the tuberculin delayed-type skin hypersensitivity test was evaluated in swine. A comparison of the tuberculin skin tests was performed with avian and bovine protein derivatives (PPD), in the detection of Mycobacterium avium-Complex or M. bovis infected swine. The methods were evaluated as to define criteria for readings and results interpretation, to determine their capacity in detecting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infected swine and their performance in differentiating MAC from M. bovis-infected individuals. Three trials were performed with naturally MAC-infected swine, experimentally MAC-infected or experimentally M. bovis-infected animals. The skin test readings positive or negative were, respectively, correlated to the presence or absence of gross lesions and histological alterations in lymph nodes at slaughter age. Reaction with both antigens were observed in MAC and M. bovis-inoculated animals as well. Reactions wider then 0.5cm in diameter or showing skin thickness increasing more then 0.2cm in the time frame between inoculation and reading were considered to be positive, as compared to the average results of the group. Herds with MAC-infected swine could be detected with either avian or bovine PPD. Both diameter and skin thickness were efficient in detecting MAC-infected swine, however, reading the diameter of the reaction was shown to be more easily and economically performed.

This report describes the first preliminary characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) isolates from pigs affected with post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Brazil. Diseased pigs were examined at necropsy and by histopathology. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed lesions reported to be typical of PMWS, which included, respectively, emaciation, enlargement of lymph nodes, thymus atrophy and interstitial pneumonia, and granulomatous lymphadenitis with syncytial cells, among others. Using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or imunoperoxidase it was possible to detected DNA or antigen of PCV2, respectively. The PCR' s amplified fragment could be differentiated from PCV1 and PCV2 from one another by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. PCV2 DNA was detected in 70% (14/20) of samples of pigs with clinical signs and lesions associated with PMWS. This study shows that PCV2 is associated with lesions and symptoms indicative of PMWS in pigs. It is also shown that the Brazilian PCV2 isolates may have variation in their genome.

Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico em 65 granjas de suínos situadas na região Sul do Brasil para identificar os fatores que favorecem a ocorrência do vício de sucção entre leitões desmamados. Em cada granja acompanhou-se um lote de leitões do nascimento até 21 dias após o desmame, provenientes de no mínimo seis leitegadas, para obtenção de informações relacionadas às instalações, à nutrição, às práticas de manejo, ao ambiente interno e ao desempenho dos leitões. Os dados foram submetidos à análises descritivas e de correspondência múltipla. A manifestação do vício ocorreu em 23 (35,4%) granjas. Nos lotes que apresentaram o vício de sucção, os leitões obtiveram média de ganho diário de peso (P

Realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico de observação de 63 unidades terminadoras de suínos, com o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência de artrite no abate. Em cada granja foram acompanhados cerca de 220 suínos por 110 dias e anotadas 42 variáveis, uma objetiva (condenação por artrite) e 41 explicativas (fatores de risco), desde a chegada dos leitões na propriedade até o serviço de inspeção federal no abate. Foram utilizados métodos descritivos e análises multivariadas. Das 63 granjas estudadas 39,7%, 33,3% e 27,0% apresentaram, respectivamente, nenhuma (0,0%), baixa (£ 0,7%) e alta (>0,7%) ocorrência de carcaças condenadas por artrite. Observou-se associação entre a ocorrência de artrite com baixo ganho de peso diário, baixo rendimento de carne na carcaça, conversão alimentar ruim e baixo peso de carcaça. Os fatores de risco associados à ocorrência da artrite foram: granjas com histórico de condenações por artrite, mais de cinco anos sem reforma do piso, lote do sexo macho, ausência de forro nas instalações, limpeza das baias somente uma vez ao dia, condições ruins de transporte para o abate, galpões com mais de 250 suínos alojados e mais de 10 fornecedores de leitões na formação do lote.

Realizou-se um estudo em 64 granjas de suínos na região sul do Brasil entre julho de 1995 e março de 1997 com o objetivo de estimar o índice de pneumonia (IP) e o índice de rinite atrófica (IRA), por meio da contagem dos sinais clínicos de tosse e espirro, respectivamente, em suínos em crescimento-terminação. Em cada granja, um lote com cerca de 60 suínos foi acompanhado desde o alojamento na fase de crescimento até o abate. Tosse e espirro foram contados em quatro oportunidades (30, 50 e 80 dias após o alojamento e 1 a 3 dias antes do abate). Em cada oportunidade foram feitas três contagens de dois minutos cada e o percentual de tosse e espirro para cada lote foi calculado pela média das três contagens em relação ao tamanho do lote. No abate, os suínos foram avaliados quanto à freqüência e severidade de lesões de hepatização pulmonar e de rinite atrófica nos cornetos nasais para cálculo do IP e do IRA, respectivamente. Os dados foram submetidos às análises de correlação de Pearson e de regressão simples para ajuste da equação de predição do IP em relação à porcentagem de tosse e do IRA em relação à porcentagem de espirro. As equações obtidas foram: IPe = 0,35 + (0,11 × % de tosse) com R² = 0,45 e IRAe = 0,36 +( 0,065 × % de espirro) com R² = 0,36. Conclui-se que é possível utilizar o método de contagem de tosse e espirro na fase de crescimento-terminação para estimar, respectivamente, o IP e o IRA.A study in 64 swine herds was carried out in order to estimate the pneumonia index (PI) and the atrophic rhinitis index (ARI) through the quantification of coughing and sneezing in growing-finishing pigs. In each herd, 60 pigs were evaluated from lodging in the growing-finishing phase up to slaughter. The amount of coughing and sneezing episodes was counted in four opportunities (30, 50 and 80 days after lodging, and three days before slaughter). In each opportunity three counts of two minutes each were made and the percentage of coughing and sneezing was calculated by the average of the three counts in relation to the batch size. At slaughter, for all pig-batches the frequency and severity of lung consolidation and atrophic rinithis were determined and scored. All data were submitted to the Pearson correlation and to the simple regression analyses of the PIe in relationship to the percentage of coughing and ARIe in relationship to the percentage of sneezing. The resulting equation were: PI estimated = 0.35 + (0.11 × % of coughing) with R² = 0.45, and ARI estimated = 0.36 + (0.065 × % of sneezing) with R² = 0.36. It is concluded that the quantification of coughing and sneezing can be used to estimate ARI and PI indexes in growing-finishing pigs.

Durante um ano foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico em 10 sistemas de produção de suínos (produtores de leitões ou ciclo completo), com o objetivo de investigar os fatores de risco que melhor explicam as variações na produtividade da fêmea suína. Foi aplicado um questionário para obtenção de informações relacionadas a genética, sanidade, nutrição, instalações e manejo. As respostas envolveram 271 fêmeas. Elas foram submetidas a procedimentos estatísticos de análise descritiva, análise de correspondência múltipla e classificação hierárquica ascendente das fêmeas. Dessas, 236 (87,1%) pariram em média 11,4± 2,8 leitões, 31 (11,4%) apresentaram retorno ao estro, 3 (1,1%) abortaram e 1 (0,4%) apresentou falsa gestação. As variáveis explicativas que melhor discriminaram as fêmeas quanto ao número total de leitões nascidos (variável objetiva) foram: antecedentes reprodutivos, infecção urinária, temperatura retal no dia da cobrição e até quatro dias após, tempo de cobrição, método de cobrição e soroconversão para parvovírus. Os resultados sugerem que é possível melhorar o desempenho reprodutivo dos rebanhos suínos pela identificação e correção dos fatores de risco identificados neste estudo.

Um experimento de pesquisa epidemiológica observacional foi realizado em 65 rebanhos da região Sul do Brasil, com o objetivo de identificar o conjunto de fatores de risco que melhor explicam a ocorrência de problemas com os leitões na fase de creche. Em cada rebanho acompanhou-se um lote de leitões durante as primeiras três semanas após o desmame, sendo avaliadas variáveis ligadas às instalações, à nutrição, ao manejo, ao ambiente e à saúde dos leitões. Na análise estatística dos dados foram utilizados métodos descritivos e multidimencionais. As variáveis objetivas usadas para descrever os problemas dos leitões na fase de creche foram: ganho de peso diário, coeficiente de variação do peso dos leitões aos 21 dias após o desmame, ocorrência de diarréia no lote, taxa de mortalidade e o uso de medicamentos curativos contra diarréia. Com essas variáveis elaborou-se uma variável sintética que discriminava as granjas em três categorias: boas, intermediárias e ruins. Dentre as variáveis explicativas, foram identificados 10 fatores de risco que melhor discriminaram os rebanhos estudados quanto a ocorrência de diarréia, mortalidade e desempenho dos leitões na fase de creche. Com isso, foi possível elaborar o perfil de granjas com alta tendência de apresentarem problemas com os leitões na fase de creche. Conclui-se que em muitos rebanhos da região Sul do Brasil existem vários fatores de risco que favorecem a ocorrência de problemas com os leitões na fase de creche, alguns deles sendo conseqüência da fase de maternidade.

Pigs out to pasture on a large scale is a fairly new occurrence in Brazil, but it represents an area of growing interest. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 86.08% of 115 pigs. According to the modified agglutination test, the following antibody titers were found: 1:50 (3.47%), 1:100 (6.08%), 1:200 (9.56%), 1:400 (6.95%), 1:800 (6.95%), 1:1600 (6.95%) and 1:3200 (55.65%). The environment fecal contamination by cats or by consumption of infected rodents is probably the most significant source of toxoplasmosis in outdoor-reared pigs. The economic toxoplasmosis impact of outdoor pig production systems, as well as its public health importance, should be assessed. The present results suggest that toxoplasmosis is common in pigs reared outdoors in the region. Health authorities should increase their monitoring and control activities in order to decrease the risk of toxoplasmic infections, especially among pregnant women. This is the first report on T. gondii infection in pigs reared according to the outdoor pig production system in Brazil.

Abstract Background Surfactant is a well-established therapy for preterm neonates affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The goals of different methods of surfactant administration are to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); however, the optimal administration method remains unknown. This study compares the effectiveness of the INtubate-RECruit-SURfactant-Extubate (IN-REC-SUR-E) technique with the less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique, in increasing BPD-free survival of preterm infants. This is an international unblinded multicenter randomized controlled study in which preterm infants will be randomized into two groups to receive IN-REC-SUR-E or LISA surfactant administration. Methods In this study, 382 infants born at 24+0–27+6 weeks’ gestation, not intubated in the delivery room and failing nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) during the first 24 h of life, will be randomized 1:1 to receive IN-REC-SUR-E or LISA surfactant administration. The primary outcome is a composite outcome of death or BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. The secondary outcomes are BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age; death; pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen; severe intraventricular hemorrhage; pneumothorax; duration of respiratory support and oxygen therapy; pulmonary hemorrhage; patent ductus arteriosus undergoing treatment; percentage of infants receiving more doses of surfactant; periventricular leukomalacia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis; total in-hospital stay; systemic postnatal steroids; neurodevelopmental outcomes; and respiratory function testing at 24 months of age. Randomization will be centrally provided using both stratification and permuted blocks with random block sizes and block order. Stratification factors will include center and gestational age (24+0 to 25+6 weeks or 26+0 to 27+6 weeks). Analyses will be conducted in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations, utilizing a log-binomial regression model that corrects for stratification factors to estimate the adjusted relative risk (RR). Discussion This trial is designed to provide robust data on the best method of surfactant administration in spontaneously breathing preterm infants born at 24+0–27+6 weeks’ gestation affected by RDS and failing nCPAP or NIPPV during the first 24 h of life, comparing IN-REC-SUR-E to LISA technique, in increasing BPD-free survival at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05711966. Registered on February 3, 2023.

Em um sistema intensivo de produção de suínos, as falhas reprodutivas são uma das principais razões de descarte de matrizes e queda nos índices produtivos. A infecção urinária (cistite) e as endometrites são consideradas importantes causas de descarte em fêmeas suínas, por terem consequências reprodutivas relevantes e elevarem a taxa de reposição do plantel. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o aparelho reprodutivo e a bexiga de fêmeas suínas de descarte normal de granjas, bem como investigar a existência de relação entre as patologias encontradas. Foram examinadas 79 matrizes suínas oriundas de 20 rebanhos localizados no Estado de Santa Catarina. De cada fêmea foram coletados os ovários, fragmentos de útero e bexiga. Dentre as fêmeas avaliadas, 32 (40,5%) tinham diferentes graduações de cistite, 24 (30,4%) tinham algum tipo de inflamação uterina, e 9 (11,4%) estavam em anestro, com ovários inativos. Contudo, não foi observada dependência significativa entre cistite e endometrite nas amostras analisadas.

Relata-se a disseminação da infeção pelo vírus da doença de Aujeszky (VDA) a partir da comercialização de reprodutores suínos oriundos de duas granjas de reprodutores suídeos certificada (GRSC) que tiveram surto da DA. Após a confirmação do diagnóstico de DA, os suínos comercializados 37 a 45 dias anteriores aos surtos foram recolhidos, submetidos ao exame sorológico para o VDA e enviados ao abate. Nos rebanhos-destino foram realizados exames sorológicos para o VDA 17 a 37 dias após o recolhimento, naqueles que estavam lojados nas baias vizinhas àquelas onde haviam sido alojados os suínos comprados; seis meses mais tarde, foi realizada outra sorologia por amostragem dos reprodutores. No total, 52 rebanhos compraram suínos das duas granjas, e, destes, 37 (69,8%) receberam, pelo menos, um animal com sorologia positiva para o VDA. Somente sete (18,9%) deles apresentaram sorologia positiva para o VDA, e em 30 (81,1%), não houve indícios de disseminação da infecção. A contaminação pelo VDA de granjas GRSC representa enorme potencial para a disseminação da infecção, por meio do comércio de suínos de reposição. A rastreabilidade dos animais comercializados em um período anterior ao diagnóstico, com imediata remoção dos lotes de suínos dos rebanhos-destino, evitou a disseminação da infecção.It was reported the spreading of the infection caused by the virus of Aujesky's disease (VAD) by the commercialization of breeders originated from two pigs farms GRSC (Farms of Certified Swine Breeders - FCSB) which had an outbreak of Aujeszky's disease. After the positive diagnosis of Aujesky's disease, the pigs traded from 37 to 45 day before the outbreaks were removed from the herd, bled for serological exams for the VAD and sent to slaughterhouses. The herds which received these pigs were serologically tested for the VAD, 17 to 37 days after the removal of the animals. Serological tests were also performed in pigs lodged at neighboring cages to those which had been lodged with the pigs bought and a sampling test was done six months later. Thus, 52 flocks bought pigs from the farms 1 and 2. From those, 37 (69.8%) received at least one serum-positive pig for the VAD. Only seven (18.9%) of them were infected and 30 (81.1%) pigs showed no indications of infection by the VAD. The occurrence of VAD in FCSB farms represents huge potential for spreading of the VAD, by the trade of replacement pigs. The traceability investigation and removal of the animals traded before the diagnosis, with immediate removal of the positive lots of pigs at the destiny herd, avoided the spread of the infection.

O trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a transmissão horizontal de Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) entre suínos. Doze suínos com 35 a 42 dias de idade, divididos em três grupos de quatro e alojados em salas independentes, foram inoculados por via oral com as cepas VPS1, SC1 e ATCC-13950 de Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare. A seguir, quatro suínos não inoculados foram colocados em cada grupo e mantidos na mesma baia até o abate aos 150 dias da idade. Outro grupo de quatro suínos não inoculados foi utilizado como controle. Pelo exame de fezes verificou-se que houve excreção ativa de MAI entre 14 e 42 dias pós-inoculação. A transmissão da infecção foi avaliada pelo teste de tuberculina aos 140 dias de idade e pelos exames de patologia macro e microscópica e de isolamento do MAI de órgãos. Os quatro suínos em contato com aqueles inoculados com a cepa SC1 foram contaminados, enquanto que com a cepa VPS1 apenas um e com a ATCC-13950 somente dois. Concluiu-se que houve transmissão de MAI entre os suínos mantidos na mesma baia, com as três cepas utilizadas, mas foi mais evidente com a cepa SC1, indicando que o suíno pode ser importante fonte de infecção na disseminação da doença.

The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human and animal pathogens is a global concern, and antimicrobial use (AMU) is considered the most important driver for its increase. The aim of this study was to assess AMR in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in faecal samples of pigs subjected to four different AMU protocols from birth to finishing: G1, no in-feed antimicrobials; G2: a total average dose 6018 mg antimicrobials/pig; G3: a total average dose 8127 mg antimicrobials/pig; and G4: a total average dose 15,678 mg antimicrobials/pig. Faecal samples were collected at six time points and AMR was assessed in both bacteria. The microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Minor differences on the microbiota profile was observed among groups, but a lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was noted in G4. Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. strains isolated from all groups showed a high level of multi-drug resistance (MDR). The amount of antimicrobials used was significantly positively associated with the probability of MDR in both bacteria. Approximately 43% of the variation in MIC 90 for colistin could be explained by AMU, and a one-day increase in administration of colistin increased MIC 90 by 0.05 μg mL -1 . In conclusion, the results suggest that the higher the use of antimicrobials in farms, the higher the MDR frequency and resistance to the highest priority critically important antimicrobials for humans in commensal gut bacteria of pigs., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Swine eperythrozoonosis or porcine hemoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused mainly by Mycoplasma suis and is distributed worldwide. This study investigated the occurrence of porcine hemothropic mycoplasmas (PHMs) in fetuses and sows with reproductive failure. Two hundred and seventy-six samples (80 sows' blood and 196 fetal tissue samples) from 27 farms with reproductive disorders were evaluated. The PHMs DNA was detected in 15 out of 80 (18.7%) sows but it was not detected in the fetuses. The bacterial load ranged from 1.32 × 10 2 to 2.61 × 10 5 copies/µL. From the 27 tested herds, 11 (40.7%) showed at least one positive sow per farm. The majority of the reproductive problems observed in PMHs positive sows were stillborn fetuses (46.7%) and stillborn associated with fetal mummification (26.7%). So, we evidenced that porcine hemoplasmas circulate among sows in Brazilian herds, however, its real impact on reproductive problems remains unknown., Competing Interests: None of the authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Scrotal hernias (SH) are common congenital defects in commercial pigs, characterized by the presence of abdominal contents in the scrotal sac, leading to considerable production and animal welfare losses. Since the etiology of SH remains obscure, we aimed to identify the biological and genetic mechanisms involved in its occurrence through the whole transcriptome analysis of SH affected and unaffected pigs' inguinal rings. From the 22,452 genes annotated in the pig reference genome, 13,498 were expressed in the inguinal canal tissue. Of those, 703 genes were differentially expressed (DE, FDR < 0.05) between the two groups analyzed being, respectively, 209 genes upregulated and 494 downregulated in the SH-affected group. Thirty-seven significantly overrepresented GO terms related to SH were enriched, and the most relevant biological processes were muscular system, cell differentiation, sarcome reorganization, and myofibril assembly. The calcium signaling, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and cardiac muscle contraction were the major pathways possibly involved in the occurrence of the scrotal hernias. The expression profile of the DE genes was associated with the reduction of smooth muscle differentiation, followed by low calcium content in the cell, which could lead to a decreased apoptosis ratio and diminished muscle contraction of the inguinal canal region. We have demonstrated that genes involved with musculature are closely linked to the physiological imbalance predisposing to scrotal hernia. According to our study, the genes MYBPC1, BOK, SLC25A4, SLC8A3, DES, TPM2, MAP1CL3C , and FGF1 were considered strong candidates for future evaluation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Mycoplasma suis and Mycoplasma parvum are the two hemotrophic mycoplasmas species described in pigs. M. suis is involved in infectious anemia, while M parvum infection is commonly subclinical. The objectives of this study were twofold: (i) to investigate the prevalence of porcine hemotrophic mycoplasmas in sows from the southern region of Brazil by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and (ii) to genetically characterize a subset of the samples based on the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 429 blood samples were evaluated from 53 different farm sites. Porcine hemoplasmas was detected at all the 53 tested sites and in 79.72% of the samples (342/429). Two sequences were obtained for Mycoplasma spp. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene (900 bp) showed that the Mycoplasma sequences were closely related to the M. suis cluster and that one sequence was positioned in the M. parvum cluster. In conclusion, porcine hemoplasmas have a high rate of prevalence in sows from commercial farms in the southern region of Brazil. This study demonstrated the first molecular detection and characterization of partial 16S rRNA gene of M. parvum in Brazil., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pasteurella multocida is one of the most important pathogen that causes pneumonia in swine. Although several virulence factors are known, the pathogenesis of this bacterium is not well-studied. Therefore, to study the pathogenesis of P. multocida infection in porcine lung, next-generation RNA sequencing was used to compare the transcriptomes of P. multocida grown in vivo and in vitro, respectively. After P. multocida infection a total of 704 genes were expressed in vitro, 1422 genes were expressed in vivo, and 237 genes were differentially expressed based on statistical analyses, padj of ≤0.1. Genes encoding ribosomal proteins or other products that function in the regulation of transcription and translation were downregulated, whereas genes whose products affected cellular processes (protein transport and RNA degradation) and metabolic pathways, such as those of amino acid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, were upregulated in vitro compared with in vivo. This study shows that differentially expressed genes in P. multocida regulate pathways that operate during stress, iron capture, heat shock, and nitrogen regulation. However, extensive investigation of the pathogenic mechanism of P. multocida is still required., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pasteurella multocida type A (PmA) is considered a secondary agent of pneumonia in pigs. The role of PmA as a primary pathogen was investigated by challenging pigs with eight field strains isolated from pneumonia and serositis in six Brazilian states. Eight groups of eight pigs each were intranasally inoculated with different strains of PmA (1.5 mL/nostril of 10e7 CFU/mL). The control group (n = 12) received sterile PBS. The pigs were euthanized by electrocution and necropsied by 5 dpi. Macroscopic lesions were recorded, and swabs and fragments of thoracic and abdominal organs were analyzed by bacteriological and pathological assays. The PmA strains were analyzed for four virulence genes (toxA: toxin; pfhA: adhesion; tbpA and hgbB: iron acquisition) by PCR and sequencing and submitted to multilocus sequence typing (MLST)., Results: The eight PmA strains were classified as follows: five as highly pathogenic (HP) for causing necrotic bronchopneumonia and diffuse fibrinous pleuritis and pericarditis; one as low pathogenic for causing only focal bronchopneumonia; and two as nonpathogenic because they did not cause injury to any pig. PCR for the gene pfhA was positive for all five HP isolates. Sequencing demonstrated that the pfhA region of the HP strains comprised four genes: tpsB1, pfhA1, tpsB2 and pfhA2. The low and nonpathogenic strains did not contain the genes tpsB2 and pfhA2. A deletion of four bases was observed in the pfhA gene in the low pathogenic strain, and an insertion of 37 kb of phage DNA was observed in the nonpathogenic strains. MLST clustered the HP isolates in one group and the low and nonpathogenic isolates in another. Only the nonpathogenic isolates matched sequence type 10; the other isolates did not match any type available in the MLST database., Conclusions: The hypothesis that some PmA strains are primary pathogens and cause disease in pigs without any co-factor was confirmed. The pfhA region, comprising the genes tpsB1, tpsB2, pfhA1 and pfhA2, is related to the pathogenicity of PmA. The HP strains can cause necrotic bronchopneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis and pericarditis in pigs and can be identified by PCR amplification of the gene pfhA2.

Economic losses with high mortality rate associated with Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is reported worldwide. PCV2 commercial vaccine was introduced in 2006 in U.S. and in 2008 in Brazil. Although PCV2 vaccines have been widely used, cases of PCV2 systemic disease have been reported in the last years. Eleven nursery or fattening pigs suffering from PCV2 systemic disease were selected from eight PCV2-vaccinated farms with historical records of PCV2 systemic disease in Southern Brazil. PCV2 genomes were amplified and sequenced from lymph node samples of selected pigs. The comparison among the ORF2 amino acid sequences of PCV2 isolates revealed three amino acid substitutions in the positions F57I, N178S and A190T, respectively. Using molecular modeling, a structural model for the capsid protein of PCV2 was built. Afterwards, the mutated residues positions were identified in the model. The structural analysis of the mutated residues showed that the external residue 190 is close to an important predicted region for antibodies recognition. Therefore, changes in the viral protein conformation might lead to an inefficient antibody binding and this could be a relevant mechanism underlying the recent vaccine failures observed in swine farms in Brazil., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Porcine periweaning-failure-to-thrive syndrome (PFTS) is a condition that affects newly weaned piglets. It is characterised by a progressive debilitation leading to death, in the absence of infectious, nutritional, management or environmental factors. In this study, we present the first report of PFTS in South America and the results of a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic markers associated with the appearance of this condition in a crossbred swine population. Four chromosomal regions were associated with PFTS predisposition, one located on SSCX, one on SSC8, and the two other regions on SSC14. Regions on SSC8 and SSC14 harbour important functional candidate genes involved in human depression and might have an important role in PFTS. Our findings contribute to the increasing knowledge about this syndrome, which has been investigated since 2007, and to the identification of the aetiology of this disease., (British Veterinary Association.)

The effect of organic acids and mannanoligosaccharide addition to the diet was assessed in pigs orally inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium. Forty-six growers were distributed among four treatments: Basal Diet (BD); BD+encapsulated organic acids; BD+free organic acids; BD+mannanoligosaccharide. Seroconversion was monitored, and feces and tissue samples were tested for Salmonella isolation. No treatment prevented the carrier state, but a tendency of lower fecal excretion was observed in the group treated with mannanoligosaccharide., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Swine can carry Salmonella strains that may be transmitted to humans by pork products. This investigation determined the distribution and types of Salmonella in 12 swine finishing herds and a slaughter facility in Santa Catarina, Brazil. A total of 1258 samples, consisting of environmental, feed, carcass, lymph node, and fecal material were collected and submitted to bacteriological isolation of Salmonella. From 487 positive samples, 1255 isolates were recovered and confirmed to be Salmonella. The distribution of positive samples was as follows: finishing pen floors 26% (16/61); feed 29% (42/143); feces 44% (52/119); pooled feces 59% (35/59); slaughter holding pens 90% (36/40); lymph nodes 46% (220/478); pre-chilled carcass surfaces 24% (24/98); and post-chilled carcass surfaces 24% (62/260). The most prevalent serovars were Typhimurium, Panama, Senftenberg, Derby, and Mbandaka. By pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, 1071 isolates were subtyped using XbaI, and duplicate isolates were removed. From the remaining 747 isolates, 163 macrorestriction profiles (pulsotypes) were identified. Six pulsotypes were considered very frequent, occurring in 33 isolates or more. The multiple correspondence analyses showed correlations between pulsotypes from shedding pigs (feces), herd environment (pen floors), and subiliac and prescapular lymph nodes and between lairage and carcass surface samples before and after chilling. All sources of Salmonella investigated contributed to the carrier state; however, pre-slaughter contamination at lairage was the variable most strongly associated with carcass contamination. A total of 59 different antimicrobial resistance profiles were observed in 572 Salmonella isolates. From these isolates, 17% (97/572) were susceptible to all 15 antibiotics tested, 83% (475/572) were resistant to at least one, and 43% (246/572) were resistant to four or more antibiotics (multi-resistant). The AmpGenKanTet profile was the most prevalent in carcass isolates and was associated with farm origin., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)