Prevalence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in sows and suckling piglets

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (B hyo) in breeding animals, lactating sows, and their suckling offspring in swine dysentery- (SD-) positive herds.

Materials and methods: Study 1: lactating sows and suckling piglets. Rectal swabs were collected eight times at 1- to 4-week intervals from an SD-positive breed-to-wean farm. At each sampling, rectal swabs were collected from 60 “sets” of animals (individual swabs from a sow and three suckling piglets). Piglet samples were tested as a litter. Samples were tested by Brachyspira species culture and confirmed by culture-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Study 2: breeding herds. Five SD-positive sow farms, varying in size, were selected for evaluation of breeding-herd prevalence of B hyo. Rectal swabs were collected once per farm from 150 randomly selected sows. Samples were tested by Brachyspira species culture and confirmed by culture-based PCR.

Results: Study 1: lactating sows and suckling piglets. The percentage of sows on a farm that were positive for B hyo ranged from 0% to 5%, with an overall prevalence of 1.04%. The percentage of litters culture-positive and PCR-positive for B hyo ranged from 0% to 5%, with an overall prevalence of 1.88%. Study 2: breeding herds. The percentage of sows positive for B hyo ranged from 0% to 1.33%. Only three of the five farms tested positive.

Implications: Sampling breeding herds and suckling-age piglets could serve as a valuable alternative to traditional surveillance schemes. Understanding the prevalence of SD on endemically infected sow farms could enhance current surveillance programs.