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Respiratory diseases, mostly multifactorial, cause problems in pig farms worldwide. Next to infectious agents, such as Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) andIn the first phase, it was shown that the group vaccinated against PCV2 (Group B: SuvaxynVaccination against PCV2 leads to improved animal health and higher daily weight gains.The combined vaccine studied here provides farmers and veterinarians with an additional option for the improvement of animal health in pig production.Atemwegserkrankungen, meist multifaktoriell bedingt, führen weltweit zu Problemen in Schweinepopulationen. Infektiöse Ursachen, wie das Porzine Circovirus Typ 2 (PCV2) undIn einem zweiphasigen Versuch wurden 524 (Phase 1) bzw. 521 (Phase 2) klinisch gesunde Ferkel in der ersten Lebenswoche eingeschlossen. In der ersten Phase wurden Leistungsparameter bei Tieren verglichen, die nur gegenIn der ersten Phase zeigte sich, dass die Gruppe, die die PCV2-Impfung erhalten hatte (Gruppe B: SuvaxynDie Einführung einer Impfung gegen PCV2 führte zu einer verbesserten Tiergesundheit und zu höheren täglichen Zunahmen.Mit dem hier untersuchten Kombinationsimpfstoff steht Landwirten und Tierärzten eine weitere Möglichkeit zur Verbesserung der Tiergesundheit in der Schweinehaltung zur Verfügung.

Background The aim of this study was to estimate the mortality risk within the first days of life for underweight or low-vital neonatal piglets. This risk estimation should start a discussion concerning the pre-conditions for the killing of compromised new-born piglets for the prevention of unnecessary pain and suffering. In a field study, various clinical and laboratory variables were examined in 529 piglets out of four farms. Body weight, crown-rump-length, rectal temperature, a 4-stage vitality score, an intrauterine-growth-retardation score, glucose, lactate, haemoglobin and immunocrit were assessed on the first day of life. Vitality was scored by three factors: movement, abdominal palpation and colour of the skin. Afterwards death or survival of the piglets was monitored up until the fifth day of age. Results Body weight, crown-rump-length, rectal temperature, vitality score, IUGR-score, glucose and immunocrit were significantly associated with the probability of death (univariate model, p =

The aim of this study was to estimate the mortality risk and associated factors within the first days of life for underweight or low-vital neonatal piglets. This risk estimation should start a discussion concerning the preconditions for timely killing of compromised newborn piglets to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering. In an observational study, various clinical and laboratory variables were examined in 529 piglets out of four farms. Body weight, crown-rump-length, rectal temperature, a 4-stage vitality score, an intrauterine-growth-retardation score, glucose, lactate, haemoglobin and immunocrit were assessed on the first day of life. Vitality was scored by three factors: movement, abdominal palpation, and colour of the skin. Afterwards the death of the piglets (by killing or spontaneously) was monitored until day 5 of age.Body weight, rectal temperature and vitality score were significantly associated with probability of death. Piglets with rectal temperatures ≤ 37.5 °C, a body weight 0.86 kg and impaired vitality scores were found to have the highest probability of death until day 5 of age.The clinical findings, identified by this model, allow a first estimation of mortality risk for newborn piglets within the first days of life. In a further step veterinarians, farmers and ethicians now need to clarify what probability of death should justifiy the killing of a newborn piglet.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of a higher content of soluble dietary fibre in the diet of growing pigs on tail biting. Pig groups were of equally distributed mixed gender and males were castrated during the first days of life. Two treatment groups were investigated over nine batches with on average 194.4 (SD 14.0) pigs per batch. One treatment group (n = 810) received a conventional diet (control) from 29 to 51 days of age. The other treatment group (n = 821) was fed with a commercially available dietary diet (fibre) wherein levels of soluble dietary fibre had been increased by 0.5 (Piglet-Growing-Food-I) respectively 1.6 (Piglet-Growing-Food-II) percentage points. Tail lesions and tail losses were scored once a week and weight was recorded at pen level during weaning, three weeks later and before the start of the fattening period. Tail biting was influenced by week after weaning (p

It was the aim of the study to investigate the effect of a prolonged suckling period and group housing before weaning on tail biting in undocked nursery pigs. To do this, experiments with three treatment groups were investigated. In the first group, pigs were conventionally housed in pens with farrowing crates for a four-week suckling period (SH-4). In the second group, suckling was prolonged to five weeks whereas housing was the same as in the first group (SH-5). The animals of the third group were kept in a group housing system for six sows and their piglets during a five-week suckling period (GH-5). At weaning, piglets were moved to conventional rearing pens in which two litters of the same treatment group were mixed together. Scoring of tail lesions and tail losses was carried out once a week from birth to end of rearing at the level of the individual animal. Significant effects on tail lesions were found for week after weaning (p

In breeding farms with a high health status, pigs are frequently sampled using invasive methods (i. e. blood sampling). The aim of the present study was to evaluate less invasive methods concerning their suitability for an early detection of the infection with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV).Blood and saliva swabs, chewing rope derived oral fluids and serum samples were used for PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 detection via PCR. 19 gilts were repeatedly sampled following intramuscular or intranasal vaccination with live-attenuated vaccines containing PRRSV-1 or -2. Swabs were either moistened with saliva from the mouth mucosa or with blood from the ear veins following superficial needle puncture. Serum samples were taken via puncture of the V. jugularis externa. Chewing ropes served for a means of oral fluid sampling and were kept hanging in the barn at the pigs' head height for 30 minutes.All animals were negative for PRRSV at the time of vaccination (sampling point 0). In serum samples, the first virus detection was achieved 12 hours following vaccination (p. vacc.). From day 4 p. vacc. on all animals were viremic and from day 10 p. vacc. on the percentage of positive animals decreased. The first detection of PRRSV in GenoTubeThis study demonstrates that serum samples taken from the V. jugularis externa may be considered as the gold standard for diagnostic of PRRSV viremia. Detection rates in serum were higher than in the alternative sample types. However, since sample collection procedures and processing of the alternative sample materials offer clear advantages with regard to welfare, practical handling and logistics, further attempts are warranted in order to improve these methods. Based on the presented results, the described method using eSwabIn Zuchtbetrieben mit hohem Gesundheitsniveau werden Schweine häufig mit invasiven Methoden (Blutprobenentnahme) beprobt. Ziel der Untersuchung war die Evaluierung von weniger invasiven Verfahren auf ihre Eignung zur Früherkennung einer Infektion mit dem Virus des Porzinen Reproduktiven und Respiratorischen Syndroms (PRRSV).Blut- und Speicheltupfer sowie Kaustrick- und Serumproben wurden von 19 Jungsauen zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten nach intramuskulärer bzw. intranasaler Impfung mit PRRSV-1 oder -2 mittels PCR untersucht. Die Tupfer wurden mit Speichel von der Maulschleimhaut bzw. nach einem oberflächlichen Nadelstich mit Ohrvenenblut benetzt. Zur Serumgewinnung erfolgte eine Punktion der V. jugularis externa. Die Kaustricke wurden auf Kopfhöhe der Jungsauen für 30 Minuten in die Bucht gehängt.Alle Tiere waren zum Zeitpunkt der Impfung (Beprobungszeitpunkt 0) PRRSV-negativ. Die ersten Virusnachweise gelangen 12 Stunden p. vacc. im Serum. Ab Tag 4 p. vacc. waren alle Tiere virämisch und ab Tag 10 p. vacc. nahm der Anteil der positiven Tiere ab. Die ersten Nachweise im GenoTubeDie Studie zeigt, dass Serumproben aus der V. jugularis externa weiterhin als Goldstandard angesehen werden können, da die Nachweisraten höher liegen als in alternativen Probenmedien. Da Entnahme und Verarbeitung der alternativen Probenmaterialien allerdings deutliche Vorteile bieten, sollte versucht werden, diese Verfahren weiter zu verbessern. Die verwendete Methode mit eSwab

Summary A 2-day-old female piglet was submitted with multiple congenital, nodular skin masses located on the head, neck, trunk and legs. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of nodular, cutaneous tumours with a biphasic growth pattern and comprising a population of undifferentiated, oval or slightly polygonal, frequently perivascularly located cells and a population of spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like cells arranged in bundles. Multifocally, tumour cells infiltrated subcutaneous adipose and muscular tissue. Immunohistochemically, the undifferentiated tumour cells expressed vimentin and calponin, whereas the spindle-shaped tumour cells were positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and calponin. Based on these findings, the diagnosis was myofibroblastic tumours closely resembling the multicentric form of human infantile myofibromatosis.

BackgroundVarious diagnostic procedures, their results and interpretation in a case with severe lameness in fattening pigs are described. It is shown, that selected diagnostic steps lead to identification of the key factors for disease development in the respective herd. One focus is the assessment of the impact of reduced dietary phosphorus level on disease development.Case presentationIn a farrow-to-finishing farm lameness occurred in pigs with 40-70 kg body weight. Necropsy of three diseased pigs revealed claw lesions and alterations at the knee and elbow joints. Histological findings were characteristic for osteochondropathia. All pigs were positively tested for Mycoplasma hyosynoviae in affected joints. In addition, analysis of diet composition revealed a low phosphorus content in two diets, which might had led to insufficient supply in individuals with high average daily gains with respect to development of bone mass and connective tissue. The impact of dietary factors for disease development could not be verified in the selected animals by blood analysis and bone ashings in this case. Finally, change in feed and antibiotic treatment of individual animals led to improvement of clinical symptoms.ConclusionsMycoplasma hyosynoviae was identified to be an important aetiological factor for disease. Other, non-infectious factors, as osteochondrosis and claw lesions might have triggered development of disease. A calculated marginal phosphor supply for pigs with high growth rates in a limited time period might further had weakened cartilage and connective tissue, and facilitated adherence of infectious agents in joints. Diagnostic of insufficient phosphorus supply by blood analysis and bone ashing might be not successful, when it occurs temporarily in time periods prior to sampling.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on tail-biting during rearing of housing piglets of the same litter compared to piglets from different litters. The treatments “litter-wise” (LW, n =240) and “mixed litters” (ML, n =238) were housed in five identical units. Each tail was scored regarding tail lesions and tail losses once per week with a four-point score (0= no damage/original length to 3= severe damage/total loss). The effect of week after weaning had highly significant influences on tail lesions (p

The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of raw material provision on tail-biting outbreaks in long-tailed pigs. Two different substrates, dried corn silage (SG, n=245) and alfalfa hay (AG, n=245) were provided for the pigs twice per day from the second week of life until the end of rearing. The control of long-tailed pigs (CG, n=231) were kept without the provision of additional raw material. Each tail was scored regarding tail lesions/tail losses once per week with a four-point score (0=no damage/original length, 3=severe damage/total loss). Weight was collected at the beginning and at the end of rearing. The effect of week after weaning, the batch and the interaction between treatment group and batch had highly significant influences on tail lesions (p

Swine influenza A viruses (swIAVs) can play a crucial role in the generation of new human pandemic viruses. In this study, in-depth passive surveillance comprising nearly 2,500 European swine holdings and more than 18,000 individual samples identified a year-round presence of up to four major swIAV lineages on more than 50% of farms surveilled. Phylogenetic analyses show that intensive reassortment with human pandemic A(H1N1)/2009 (H1pdm) virus produced an expanding and novel repertoire of at least 31 distinct swIAV genotypes and 12 distinct hemagglutinin/neuraminidase combinations with largely unknown consequences for virulence and host tropism. Several viral isolates were resistant to the human antiviral MxA protein, a prerequisite for zoonotic transmission and stable introduction into human populations. A pronounced antigenic variation was noted in swIAV, and several H1pdm lineages antigenically distinct from current seasonal human H1pdm co-circulate in swine. Thus, European swine populations represent reservoirs for emerging IAV strains with zoonotic and, possibly, pre-pandemic potential.

Respiratory disorders in fattening pigs are of major concern worldwide. Particularly Enzootic Pneumonia remains a problem for the pig industry. This chronic respiratory disease is primarily caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae). However, more recently it was hypothesised that M. hyorhinis can also cause similar lung lesions. To investigate the relevance of M. hyorhinis as a cause of pneumonia in fattening pigs 10 farms in Switzerland (considered free of Enzootic Pneumonia) and 20 farms in Germany (regarded as endemic for Enzootic Pneumonia) with a history of chronic and/or recurrent respiratory diseases were included in the study. During a one-time farm visit the coughing index was determined in the batch of oldest fattening pigs in each farm before submission to slaughter. In total, 1375 lungs from these pigs were collected at the abattoir and individually scored for lesions. Furthermore, 600 lungs with, if present, indicative lesions for Enzootic Pneumonia (purple to grey areas of tissue consolidation in the cranio-ventral lung lobes) were tested for mycoplasma species by culture and by real-time PCR for the presence of M. hyorhinis and M. hyopneumoniae. In total, 15.7% of the selected lungs were tested positive for M. hyorhinis by real-time PCR. The prevalence of M. hyorhinis was 10% in Switzerland and 18.5% in Germany and differed significantly between these two countries (p=0.007). M. hyorhinis was detected significantly more often in pneumonic lungs (p=0.004) but no significant association was found between M. hyorhinis and the coughing index or the M. hyopneumoniae status of the pig. M. hyopneumoniae was detected in 0% and 78.5% of the selected lungs in Switzerland and Germany, respectively. We found no evidence that M. hyorhinis alone can lead to similar lung lesions as seen by an infection with M. hyopneumoniae in fattening pigs. In addition, a simultaneous infection with both M. hyorhinis and M. hyopneumoniae did not aggravate the observed lung lesions. Moreover, the presence of M. hyorhinis showed no clinical effect in terms of coughing at least at the end of the fattening phase. However, different levels of virulence of M. hyorhinis isolates as well as interactions with viral pathogens like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) or porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were reported in the literature and need to be further investigated.

International audience; Pig farmers are strongly encouraged to reduce their antimicrobial usage because of the rising threat from antimicrobial resistance. However, such efforts should not compromise the herd health status and performance. This study aimed to describe the profile of so-called ‘top-farms’ that managed to combine both high technical performance and low antimicrobial usage. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 farrow-to-finish farms in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. Among them, 44 farms were allocated to the top-farms group and were compared with the ’regular’ farms group in terms of farm characteristics, biosecurity and health status. Top-farms had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms in suckling pigs and fewer respiratory symptoms in fatteners, which could partly explain their reduced need for antimicrobials and higher performance. They also had higher biosecurity and were located in sparsely populated pig areas. However, 14 farms of the top-farms group were located in densely populated pig areas, but still managed to have low usage and high technical performance; they had higher internal biosecurity and more extensive vaccination against respiratory pathogens. These results illustrate that it is possible to control infectious diseases using other approaches than high antimicrobial usage, even in farms with challenging environmental and health conditions.

This study was conducted within the MulTiViS-project consortium on multivariate animal welfare assessment. The aim of this investigation was to perform a status quo analysis of the noise level in fattening pig farms (n = 214) and to evaluate the suitability of noise as an animal welfare indicator. In 755 conventional fattening compartments, noise measurements were carried out for one minute at animal height using the Acoustic Analyser XL2, including microphone M2210 (NTI Audio, Schaan, Liechtenstein). In addition, various animal health and environmental factors of 33,668 pigs were recorded in randomly selected pens (n = 1,668) of these compartments. The mean equivalent noise level was 70.2 ± 5.2 dB (min 52.5, max 92.4 dB). Noise levels in compartments housing older pigs were higher (72.0 ± 5.2 dB) than those in compartments housing younger pigs (68.5 ± 4.7 dB, ***P

International audience; Background High antimicrobial usage and the threat of antimicrobial resistance highlighted the need for reduced antimicrobial usage in pig production. Prevention of disease however, is necessary to obtain a reduced need for antimicrobial treatment. This study aimed at assessing possible associations between the biosecurity level, antimicrobial usage and farm and production characteristics in order to advice on best practices for a low antimicrobial usage and maximum animal health and production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 227 farrow-to-finish pig herds in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden between December 2012 and December 2013. Associations between biosecurity status, antimicrobial usage, and production parameters were evaluated with multivariable general linear models, according to an assumed causal pathway. Results The results showed that higher antimicrobial usage in sows tended to be associated with higher antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter (p = 0.06). The antimicrobial usage from birth until slaughter was positively associated with the number of pathogens vaccinated against (p

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of vaccination against boar taint on testosterone levels, body weight and behaviour in male fattening pigs when compared with boars and barrows. The study was carried out in two replicates over time. Pigs were allocated to fattening pens according to treatment group (immunised males (IM), castrated males (CM), entire males (EM)) with 10 and 13 pigs per pen in batches one and two, respectively. IM pigs were vaccinated twice with Improvac™ according to manufacturer's instructions (first injection was given on the day of entry to the fattening unit, second injection was performed when pigs had an average weight of 76.6 kg and 80.4 kg in the two replicates over time, respectively). During fattening, pigs were videotaped twice (test periods one and two) for a consecutive period of 96 h during each test period and blood samples were taken. Live weight measurements were conducted on a weekly basis. Before second vaccination was given (test period one), IM pigs had serum testosterone levels comparable to those of entire boars. Two weeks after second Improvac™-injection (test period two) testosterone levels of IM pigs decreased significantly ( p p p

Vaccinia virus (VACV) spreads across cell monolayers 4-fold faster than predicted from its replication kinetics. Early after infection, infected cells repulse some superinfecting extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) particles by the formation of actin tails from the cell surface, thereby causing accelerated spread to uninfected cells. This strategy requires the expression of two viral proteins, A33 and A36, on the surface of infected cells and upon contact with EEV this complex induces actin polymerisation. Here we have studied this phenomenon further and investigated whether A33 and A36 expression in cells lines causes an increase in VACV plaque size, if these proteins are able to block superinfection by EEV, and which protein(s) on the EEV surface are required to initiate the formation of actin tails from infected cells. Data presented show that VACV plaque size was not increased by expression of A33 and A36, and these proteins did not block entry of the majority of EEV binding to these cells. In contrast, expression of proteins A56 and K2 inhibited entry of both EEV and IMV. Lastly, VACV protein B5 was required on EEV to induce the formation of actin tails at the surface of cells expressing A33 and A36, and B5 short consensus repeat 4 is critical for this induction.

A natural reassortant influenza A virus consisting of seven genome segments from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus and a neuraminidase segment from a Eurasian porcine H1N1 influenza A virus was detected in a pig herd in Germany. The obvious reassortment compatibility between the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and H1N1 viruses of porcine origin raises concern as to whether swine may become a reservoir for further reassortants of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 viruses with unknown implications for human health and swine production.

The Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) can persist for several weeks in infected pigs, and readily spreads from viraemic pigs to other pigs as well as to other herds. In regions with dense pig populations such as the North-Western part of Germany the virus is endemic. The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic diversity of PRRSV found in 18 herds in this region, which had pigs with respiratory or reproductive failures, and where PRRSV had been demonstrated by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic trees were calculated using the complete nucleotide sequences of the ORF5. Of the 65 samples sequenced, five PRRSV from four herds were of the North American (NA; Type 2) genotype, and 60 of the European (EU; Type 1) genotype. To ascertain if the field PRRSV varied with time and to monitor the health condition of the herds they were revisited 2 years later. Although only two herds still reported clinical signs, PRRSV was found by RT-PCR in 10 of the 18 herds. Phylogenetic analysis showed that of the 23 PRRSV sequenced, 15 were of the European (EU) genotype. The EU genotype isolates from both samplings could be assigned to one of 12 clusters. There was no indication for the existence of herd specific clusters. ORF5 sequence identities between PRRSV from one herd in one cluster were either 100%, or had single base exchanges. These data indicate that the mutation rates for the European field isolates are similar to that found for the NA genotype vaccine strain used in Germany.

The frequency of PRRSV corresponding to live vaccines and wild-type was determined in 902 pigs from North-Western Germany submitted for post-mortem examination. Overall, 18.5% of the samples were positive for the EU wild-type virus. EU genotype vaccine virus was detected in 1.3% and the NA genotype vaccine virus in 8.9% of all samples. The detection of the EU vaccine was significantly higher in pigs vaccinated with the corresponding vaccine (OR = 9.4). Pigs vaccinated with NA genotype had significantly higher detection chances for the corresponding vaccine virus when compared to non-vaccinated animals (OR = 3.34) animals, however, NA vaccine was also frequently detected in non-vaccinated pigs. Concluding, the dynamics of NA genotype vaccine and EU wild-type virus corresponds with studies on PRRSV spread in endemically infected herds. The potential of spontaneous spread of the NA genotype vaccine should be considered in the planning of eradication programs.

Risk factors for the spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in sows have not been studied although vertical transmission from sows to their offspring is considered a significant risk factor in the development of enzootic pneumonia in growers and finishers. Seropositivity for M. hyopneumoniae in sows, as assessed by commercial ELISA, is a possible indicator of infection pressure among sows. The objective of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and associated risk factors of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2578 sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany. Data concerning general herd characteristics, acclimatisation practices, indoor and outside contacts, as well as data describing the immediate local environment were collected during a herd visit via questionnaire. Blood samples were seropositive in 65% of the 2578 sows, and all herds had >/=14% seropositive sows. Data analysis was performed in two steps. First, univariate analysis of predictor variables for the risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was performed using chi-square test. Secondly, all variables associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (P

BACKGROUND In recent years, the occurrence and the relevance of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in suckling pigs has been examined in several studies. Whereas most of these studies were focused on sole prevalence estimation within different age groups, follow-up of infected piglets or assessment of pathological findings, none of the studies included a detailed analysis of individual and environmental risk factors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of M. hyopneumoniae infections in suckling pigs of endemically infected herds and to identify individual risk factors potentially influencing the infection status of suckling pigs at the age of weaning. RESULTS The animal level prevalence of M. hyopneumoniae infections in suckling pigs examined in three conventional pig breeding herds was 3.6% (41/1127) at the time of weaning. A prevalence of 1.2% was found in the same pigs at the end of their nursery period. In a multivariable Poisson regression model it was found that incidence rate ratios (IRR) for suckling pigs are significantly lower than 1 when teeth grinding was conducted (IRR: 0.10). Moreover, high temperatures in the piglet nest during the first two weeks of life (occasionally >40°C) were associated with a decrease of the probability of an infection (IRR: 0.23-0.40). Contrary, the application of PCV2 vaccines to piglets was associated with an increased infection risk (IRR: 9.72). CONCLUSIONS Since single infected piglets are supposed to act as initiators for the transmission of this pathogen in nursery and fattening pigs, the elimination of the risk factors described in this study should help to reduce the incidence rate of M. hyopneumoniae infections and thereby might contribute to a reduced probability of high prevalences in older pigs.

In industrial countries, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission to humans is predominantly assumed to be a zoonotic infection. Recently, it has been demonstrated that about 50% of domestic pigs in Germany carry HEV-specific antibodies. However, further investigations concerning the distribution of HEV in different age groups of German domestic pigs, phylogenetic analyses and the viral load in the porcine liver are still pending. Liver samples of all age groups from herds in a pig-dense region in north-western Germany were investigated for the presence and quantity of HEV RNA and subsequently genotyped. Out of 251 liver samples, 34 contained ORF2-specific RNA, whereas 19 samples were positive using ORF1-specific primers, resulting in an overall detection rate of 13.5% and 7.6%, respectively. Especially nursery pigs and growers were tested positive for viral RNA. Furthermore, determination of the HEV copy numbers revealed high replication levels. Up to 10(9) genome copies per g of liver tissue could be detected suggesting a likely high degree of viral spread to the environment. In the HEV-positive liver samples we found no hints for pathohistological changes reflecting the HEV status.The HEV sequences showed marked diversity but could be assigned to HEV genotype 3 without exception. However, by comparing two different genomic fragments, we found indications for infections with two different HEV variants in domestic pigs. Apart from this, the current study confirms the outcome of our recent serological HEV survey and for the first time gives direct proof of HEV infections in the German domestic pig population.

Based on a questionnaire returned by 111 pig health experts from six European countries a list of potential alternatives to antimicrobials was ranked. These alternatives provide input for further studies to find strategies to reduce the widely discussed use of antimicrobials and the potential risk from antimicrobial resistance. Based on their scores for effectiveness, feasibility and return on investment, the most promising alternatives according to the consulted experts are believed to be: improvement of biosecurity measures, increased/improved vaccination, use of zinc/metals, improvement of feed quality and the use of regular diagnostic testing combined with a clear action plan. The MINAPIG consortium will use these results as input for future studies.

The present study assessed the effects of using Improvac (Pfizer Animal Health, Germany) on growth performance and meat characteristics in cross-bred male pigs. In addition average daily weight gain of immunised and surgically castrated males was estimated in order to demonstrate differences in growing patterns in these two treatment groups. The study was carried out in two identical batches. Pigs within batches (n = 446) were allocated to two different treatment groups: immunisation (IM) versus surgical castration (CM). Within treatment groups pigs were randomly assigned to two different diets (low- and high-lysine diet) in order to examine interactions of growth performance and castration technique. Vaccination was performed on the day of entry to the fattening unit and four to six weeks prior to slaughter. At the second vaccination IM-pigs showed significantly lower body weights than the control group (p0.05) in both batches. Throughout the whole fattening period CM-pigs tended to have a higher feed intake than IM-pigs while IM-pigs had a significantly lower (better) feed conversion ratio than CM-pigs (p0.05).The different lysine content of the diets had no coherent effect on any of the growth performance parameters analysed. Immunised pigs of both feeding groups and in both batches showed a tendency towards a lower carcass weight, back fat values and dressing percentages than surgically castrated pigs.The castration technique had no significant effect on meat quality parameters such as drip loss, shear force or cooking loss while intramuscular fat content (IMF) in immunised pigs fed high-lysine diets (IM(high)) tended to be higher than IMF in immunised pigs fed low-lysine diets (IM(low)). This effect was not seen in surgical castrates in either batch. Immunisation against GnRH offers a good approach to produce taint-free pork while ensuring boar-like growth for a large part of the fattening period.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of using a gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) vaccine on growth performance of male pigs. Vaccinated pigs were compared with surgically castrated pigs and entire males under conventionally managed farm conditions. Male pigs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: pigs surgically castrated during the first week of life (group "C", n=274), pigs immunised twice during the fattening period with a GnRF vaccine, the first when 13-14 weeks of age and the second when 20-21 weeks of age (group "V" n=280) and entire males (group "E", n=56). Average daily weight gain (ADG) was measured during the study. Additionally, feed conversion ratio (FCR) as defined by feed intake/weight gain and feed consumption was assessed during the fattening period. No difference in the ADG during the fattening period could be determined between "C" and "V". From the start of the study until slaughter at study day 160/173 the ADG in group "E" was lower (625 g/day; P) than in group "C" (681 g/day; P0.001) and group "V" (675 g/day; P0.01). The FCR during the fattening period until study day 160, three days before the first batch of pigs were slaughtered at 24-25 weeks of age, was higher in group"C" (2.72 kg feed intake/kg weight gain) compared with group "V" (2.44 kg feed intake/kg weight gain; P0.001) and group "E" (2.44 kg feed intake/kg weight gain; P0.01). Pigs in group "V" performed similarly to those in group "E" until the second vaccination (day 135) after which time they showed a substantial increase in feed intake and ADG, while retaining an FCR advantage over group C.

The diagnosis of enzootic pneumonia at the herd level should be based on a combination of different methods. Currently, clinical examination is usually considered to be a low value method, particularly compared to the direct detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in lung lesions by PCR. The present study compared the value of accurate clinical examination (including the quantitation of coughing), PCR on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and serological testing of blood samples for the purpose of diagnosing enzootic pneumonia. The coughing index (average % of pigs coughing per minute of observation) was determined in fattening pigs from 59 herds, and ranged from 0% to 6.7% with a median of 2.4%. Five hundred and ninety bronchiolar lavage samples and 1179 serum samples were taken from pigs in those 59 herds and tested for M. hyopneumoniae specific DNA and antibodies, respectively. In herds where ≥ 50% of lavage fluids were PCR positive, the likelihood of a higher coughing index was increased by 76% (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.14-2.72) compared to herds with50% of positive samples. For antibodies (determined by ELISA) a seroprevalence of ≥ 50% increased the likelihood of a high coughing index by 50% (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.03-2.20). In 78.1% of all herds with a seroprevalence of ≥ 50% against M. hyopneumoniae, the PCR-prevalence and the coughing index were above the median (50% and 2.4%, respectively). It was concluded that in fattening pigs a quantitative assessment of the onset of coughing - typically dry and non-productive - improves the diagnosis of enzootic pneumonia and can occasionally substitute for the detection of M. hyopneumoniae by PCR.

Since differences in the virulence of Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae strains have been described, the isolation of field strains followed by genotypic and phenotypic characterisation has become a major goal in epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to compare various M. hyopneumoniae isolates from different pig herds and numerous pigs within the same herd. Therefore, pigs of 109 herds located in North-Western Germany were sampled either on-farm or during necropsies. Overall, 52 isolates of M. hyopneumoniae were recovered from 45 pigs originating from 21 herds. The identity of cultures was confirmed by PCR targeting the 16S–23S intergenic spacer region. Typing of isolates was achieved by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and multi-locus analysis of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity of M. hyopneumoniae isolates. Differences among isolates recovered from animals of the same herd or even from the same pig revealed a grouping into different genotypic clusters. This outcome was observed with both methods. It was concluded that more than one strain of M. hyopneumoniae might be present in a pig herd and even in a single pig, suggesting high genetic heterogeneity between isolates of the same epidemiological source. These factors should be considered when applying nucleic amplification techniques for characterising M. hyopneumoniae strains to specify the epidemiology of infection and to evaluate virulence factors triggering the corresponding disease.

Diagnosis of infection with Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis, the causative agent of porcine proliferative enteropathy, is routinely based on the detection of L. intracellularis in faeces and/or tissue samples by PCR. Furthermore, infection can be determined by the detection of antibodies in serum samples. The aim of this comparative study was to examine whether results from molecular biology and serological testing are influenced by applying live bacteria vaccine Enterisol Ileitis or antimicrobial treatment to pigs naturally exposed to L. intracellularis. Decreased shedding was detected in tylosin treated pigs only. Thus, the distribution of 345 pigs into groups of 0-, 1- oror = 2-times positive by PCR was significantly influenced by the treatment (P0.0001). A global effect of positive PCR results on average daily weight gain was also highly significant (P0.0001). The serological reaction was detected by a blocking ELISA after infection but not after vaccination independent of treatment. The results indicate no influence of vaccination on applied diagnostic tests.

Evaluating the effect of using a GnRF vaccine against boar taint on the carcase characteristics of boars, vaccinated pigs were compared with physically castrated. In total, 554 male pigs were randomly assigned to treatment groups. T01 comprised physically castrated pigs in the first week of life, T02 comprised pigs vaccinated twice before slaughtering. There was neither significant difference between the groups in terms of average liveweight nor in the hot carcase weight. The mean dressing percentage was 1.5% higher for T01 than for T02 (P0.0001). The lean meat percentage was significantly higher in T02 (P0.0001). Backfat and backmuscle thickness were significantly higher in T01 (P0.0001 and P=0.0099, respectively). Within the EUROP grading vaccinated pigs were in favour (P=0.0034). There were no significant differences using the AutoFOM system: weights of the boned ham, boned shoulder and loin (P=0.5102, P=0.8881 and P=0.1919, respectively). The weight of the belly was significantly higher (P=0.0042) in T01 while the lean meat percentage of belly was significantly higher (P0.0001) in T02.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia spp. in a total of 1,040 faecal samples taken from animals at different ages from four farrowing and twelve fattening herds. In the farrowing unit, faeces were collected from 68 sows (faecal samples) and 256 suckling piglets (rectal swab samples). Further samples were collected from 362 growing and 354 finishing pigs (rectal swab samples). Additionally, 56 feed and environmental samples were collected. During the slaughtering process, 122 pigs and their carcasses respectively, were sampled three times. Finally, 86 meat and minced meat samples were taken from 34 retail stores. Campylobacter spp. were isolated in sows (33.8 %), piglets (80.9 %), growing (89.2 %) and finishing (64.7 %) pigs. Yersinia spp. were detected in growing (15.2 %) and finishing (13.3 %) pigs only. After twelve hours of chilling neither Campylobacter spp. nor Yersinia spp. were detected. In raw meat samples, Campylobacter spp. were isolated from one liver sample and Yersinia enterocolitica from two meat samples. Common slaughter techniques and hygiene procedures may be effective tools to reduce the risk of contamination and recontamination of meat products since Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia spp. were found only sporadically in raw meat samples.

The aim of this study in breeding gilt rearing herds was to identify production-specific risk factors for an increased Salmonella seroprevalence. The statistical analysis for determining risk factors based on 10,429 animals from 40 herds. Blood samples were taken regularly between 2001 and 2003 from gilts five and six months of age. Only those herds from which at least 60 samples per year and 10 per quarter were available were included in the statistical analysis of risk factors. For this, the results of the serological examinations were combined with data obtained from a questionnaire and subsequent visual examination of the herds and their environment. Different kinds of categories were validated using sensitivity analysis. Finally, all herds with a Salmonella seroprevalence0.15 were classified as "Salmonella low risk", and those with a Salmonella seroprevalenceor = 0.15 were classified as "Salmonella high risk". Four of the sixteen variables could be ascertained as risk factors for enhanced Salmonella seroprevalences: the use of pelleted or granulated feed, the use of purchased feed, partially or not slatted floors in the pens, a floor space of 0.85m2/pig and the freedom of PRRSV-infection in a herd. Some of these variables were identified as risk factors in earlier studies, too. The identification of these risk factors in pig herds of a breeding company with a low Salmonella seroprevalence, emphasises the importance of these factors for controlling Salmonella infections in pig herds.

The problem of successfully controling PRRS with traditional methods has led to a growing interest in eradication. This review summarizes the current literature on topics of PRRS-eradication, including the relevant routine diagnostic procedures, routes of virus transmission between pig herds (as i.e. pig movement, semen, aerosols, insects, fomites, transport vehicles) and eradication by closerollover and testremoval, respectively. On the basis of this knowledge and experiences it can be concluded that PRRS eradication in Germany with its intensive pig production and remarkably high pig density in several regions may only be possible through a national eradication program. The lack of potent marker vaccines that reduce the virus spread significantly, combined with the lack of differentiating diagnostic tests for routine laboratory use leads to the recommendation not to launch a national eradication program under the given circumstances. For the future it should be taken into account that the situation after reintroduction of PRRSV in a free region could only be managed by stamping-out which is generally poorly accepted by the majority of pig producers.