Pig husbandry is the most valued and economically sustainable husbandry in the livestock farming system. The performance and productivity of the pig are chiefly dependent on the nutritional factor steered by gut beneficial bacteria. The swine gut microbiome has a direct relationship with feed efficiency. As a consequence, identifying microbial taxonomy and functional capacity is critical for proper nutrient digestion. In the present investigation, eighteen grower pigs aged 3 months and weighing 30±0.55 kg were allocated into three different groups using a randomized block layout and supplemented with QPM maize fodder of 0, 5, and 10% to the basal diet by substituting (wt/wt on DM) the maize grains, and named as T0, T1, and T2 to probe the increase in gut beneficial bacteria found in the faecal contents. For comparison with T0, T1, and T2, a random faecal sample designated R was collected from six grower pigs of the same age group and bodyweight fed a maize-soya bean-based diet. The experiment is being carried out to investigate the effect of various maize fodder levels on the metagenomic profiles of pig gut microbiota using the 16S rRNA gene. All of the experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous, with protein content ranging from 18.37 to 18.63 per cent. The data generated by 16S rRNA amplicon analysis was 68, 56, 61, and 39 Mb in R, T0, T1, and T2 samples, respectively. From taxonomic distribution, bacterial phyla namely Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Spirochetes are found in descending order of relative abundance in the R, T0, and T1 groups, respectively, while Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Fibrobacteres, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutesare found in descending order of relative abundance in the T2 group. The relative profusion of Fibrobacter succinogenes is 0.89% and 16.84% in the T1 and T2 groups. According to the findings, a higher level of maize fodder in the diet of grower pigs promotes the growth of fibre-degrading bacteria in the gut microbiota, particularly Fibrobacter succinogenes. Moreover, feeding green maize has decreased the population of methanobacteria in the gut of pigs, which in turn has limited the production of methane.

Doom pig is unique indigenous germplasm of Assam which is adaptable to local climatic conditions and thrives with very low to negligible nutritional input and is capable of surviving in a migratory scavenging system, which makes it very popular among local communities of the state for rearing. Looking at the uniqueness and importance of the breed, it has been registered with the National Database of ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (INDIA_PIG_0200_DOOM_09006). The present study was undertaken to study the breeding tract, rearing practice in the field, evaluate the performance in the organized farm as well as its conservation needs. Formation of breed society, recognition of farmers, educating the stakeholders to use improved packages of practices and provision of incentives to the farmers to rear the animals will be helpful for the improvement of this unique germplasm.

A cost effective, simple and rapid method is critical for detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in pigs. The present study reports the development and evaluation a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid visual detection of PCV2 in pigs. The time and temperature conditions for amplification of PCV2 genes were optimized to be 30 min at 67 °C. The developed assay was 10 fold more sensitive than conventional PCR with analytical sensitivity of 5 pg and 50 pg, respectively. The developed LAMP assay had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 85.45% and overall accuracy of 89.70%. This is perhaps the most rapid of all LAMP reports for PCV2 detection available globally. The assay did not cross-react with porcine parvovirus or classical swine fever virus. DNA sequencing was done to ensure accuracy of LAMP assay results. The assay was assembled into a kit of 20 reactions and validated in different laboratories in India. The developed LAMP assay was proved to be a specific, sensitive and rapid method for visual detection of PCV2 which does not require costly equipments.

Co-infection of multiple pathogens complicates diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures based on clinical signs. Therefore, reliable diagnostic tool for timely reporting of suspected diseases is very much essential. A novel one-step triplex PCR assay was developed and evaluated for simultaneous detection of three important viruses namely porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) involved in reproductive problems in pigs. Each of the three pairs of oligonucleotide primers exclusively amplified the targeted fragment of the specific viruses. The multiplex PCR assay was found to be sensitive in detecting at least 300 pg of viral genomic DNA or RNA from a mixture of three viruses in a reaction. No amplification was obtained from other common viruses or pathogens, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), porcine group A rotavirus (PoRVA), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus thereby indicating that the developed multiplex PCR has high specificity. Because of the sensitivity and specificity, the developed multiplex PCR assay will be a useful tool for clinical diagnosis of mixed infections of DNA and RNA viruses in pigs.

In this study, amplification of species-specific marker of mitochondrial DNA origin was carried out to detect pork in raw, processed and meat mixtures containing varying concentrations of pork, viz. 1, 10, 50, 75 and 100%. The species-specific marker for pork was tested in raw pork from different breeds/varieties of pig such as Hampshire, Yorkshire, Ghungroo, Duroc, Rani, and Asha. The size of the amplified product was 290 bp in all the breeds/ varieties. The results were consistent in processed pork products, viz. frankfurter sausage, salami, cocktail sausage, pork slice, ham, and pork curry which were subjected to different cooking temperatures ranging from 75 to 121°C. In case of all the mixtures with different concentrations of pork, similar results were observed. Subsequently, this marker was tested for cross-amplification by checking them with beef, carabeef, mutton, chevon, chicken, and duck meat and no amplification was observed. The results suggested that the DNA marker used in this study is highly species-specific and reliable to detect pork adulteration, unambiguously, in raw, processed as well as in meat mixtures containing pork. This technique is rapid, simple and economical as compared to other methods of pork adulteration detection.

This study revealed the prevalence of Streptococcus suis in 20 center dot 39% clinically healthy pigs from North East India. All these isolates were screened for the presence of virulence- associated genes such as suilysin (sly), muramidase released protein (mrp), extracellular protein factor (epf) and arginine deiminase (arcA). Of these 62 isolates, 29 isolates carried mrp gene, 17 isolates carried sly gene, 57 isolates carried arcA gene, whereas all isolates were negative for epf gene. The most prevalent genotype was mrp(-) sly(-) epf(-) arcA(+) (45 center dot 16%) followed by genotypes mrp(+) sly(-) epf(-) arcA(+) (27 center dot 41%), mrp(+) sly(+) epf(-) arcA(+) (19 center dot 35%) and mrp(-) sly(+) epf(-) arcA(-) (8 center dot 06%). High frequency of resistance was observed for antimicrobials such as tetracycline (93 center dot 54%), clindamycin (91 center dot 93%), co-trimoxazole (88 center dot 70%) and erythromycin (85 center dot 48%). Antimicrobial resistance patterns of the S. suis isolates revealed 16 resistance groups (R1 to R16), where 93 center dot 54% isolates showed multi-drug resistance (>= 3 antimicrobial agents). It has also been observed that 57 (91 center dot 93%) isolates were resistant to at least four antimicrobials. The most predominant resistance pattern observed was CD-COT-E-TE, which accounted for 38 center dot 70% of the isolates. The occurrence of relatively high levels of resistance of S. suis to some antimicrobials (e.g., macrolides, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides) as observed in this study may represent a human health concern. In addition, a relatively higher percentage of S. suis isolated from clinically healthy pigs indicates a carrier status with risk of dissemination to other pigs in the herd as well as to humans.

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) infection is one of the most important causes of reproductive failure in pigs impacting the piggery industry globally with huge economic losses. A cost-effective, simple, rapid, specific, and sensitive method is critical for monitoring PPV infection on pig farms. The main aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid visual detection of porcine parvovirus (PPV) in pigs. A set of six LAMP primers including two outer primers, two inner primers, and two loop primers were designed utilizing the conserved region of capsid protein VP2 gene sequences of PPV and was applied for detection of PPV from porcine samples. Time and temperature conditions for amplification of PPV genes were optimized to be 30 min at 63 °C. The developed assay was ten-fold more sensitive than conventional PCR with analytical sensitivity of 20 pg and 200 pg, respectively. This is the first report of detection of PPV by LAMP assay from India. The assay did not cross-react with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), or classical swine fever virus (CSFV). The LAMP assay was assembled into a LAMP assay kit of 20 reactions and was validated in different laboratories in India. The newly developed LAMP assay was proved to be a specific, sensitive, rapid, and simple method for visual detection of PPV which does not require even costly equipments for performing the test. It complements and extends previous methods for PPV detection and provides an alternative approach for detection of PPV.

Background: Adulteration of meat with their cheaper or inferior counterparts has become a common practice in the meat industry which threatens the feelings as well as the health of the people. Meat adulteration has issues relating to social, religious, economic, and public health. Therefore, it is important to develop simple and reliable techniques for the authentication of species of meat. Mitochondrial markers have been widely used in species identification and authentication as PCR of species-specific markers of mitochondrial origin is relatively rapid, accurate, sensitive and cost-effective as compared to other PCR based assays. The present study was carried out for authentication of raw and cooked meat from different species using PCR amplification of species-specific Cytb and D-loop markers of mitochondrial origin.Methods: In this study, detection of different raw meat viz. beef, carabeef, mutton, chevon, chicken, duck meat and dog meat as well as meat samples subjected to different processing temperatures was done using PCR of species-specific mitochondrial Cytb and D-loop markers. Samples of beef, carabeef, mutton, chevon, chicken, duck meat and dog meat were collected randomly from different locations of the North-Eastern region of India. The meat samples were subjected to heat treatment in hot water (80oC) to have 75oC core temperature. They were also cooked in steam to have the core temperature of 95oC. The samples were also subjected to autoclaving at a temperature of 121oC and 15 lb pressure. Result: The markers used in this study successfully amplified unique fragments for beef, carabeef, mutton, chevon, chicken, duck meat and dog meat. The sizes of the amplified products were 126 bp for beef, 226 bp for carabeef, 254 bp for mutton, 453 bp for chevon, 256 bp for chicken, 292 bp for duck meat and 100 bp for dog meat. The results were consistent in the meat samples which were subjected to different cooking temperatures ranging from 75-121oC. Consequently, these markers were validated for cross-amplification by checking them with other meat samples and no amplifications were observed in non-target species. The results suggested that all the markers were highly specific for the target species. The simplicity, sensitivity and stability of the assay indicated that this method could be very useful for meat authentication and thereby to detect adulteration.

A triplex‐PCR assay was developed and evaluated for rapid detection of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recovered from various biological samples of pig. Three sets of primers were designed to target mecA, 16S rRNA and nuc genes of MRSA. The specific amplification generated three bands on agarose gel, with sizes 280 bp for mecA, 654 bp for 16S rRNA and 481 bp for nuc, respectively. A potential advantage of the PCR assay is its sensitivity with a detection limit of 102 CFU per ml of bacteria. In all, 79 MRSA isolates recovered from various samples of pigs were subjected to the amplification by the triplex‐PCR assay and all the isolates yielded three bands corresponding to the three genes under this study. No false‐positive amplification was observed, indicating the high specificity of the developed triplex‐PCR assay. This assay will be a useful and powerful method for differentiation of MRSA from methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus, coagulase‐negative methicillin‐resistant staphylococci and coagulase‐negative methicillin‐sensitive staphylococci.

The domestic pig originated from the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) and its domestication started approximately 9,000 years ago [1]. Asian pig domestication appeared to have occurred mainly in North-eastern India, the Mekong region, and the middle and downstream regions of the Yangtze River [2]. The pig population in India is 8.8 million, which is 1.09% of the world’s pig population of 967.38 million [3].

Porcine circovirus2 (PCV2) infection in pigs is one of the major causes of economic loss to the farmers in terms of low production, slow growth and increase post-weaning mortality rate. The effect of PCV2 infection on haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status is not well established in pigs. In the present study, haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status were assessed in pigs confirmed positive for PCV2 infections as evidenced by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (n = 151) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 42) among a total of 306 number of pigs included in the study. Non-infected healthy pigs (n = 6) served as healthy control. The total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count (DLC) and thrombocyte count were measured. The levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and glucose and enzymes viz. alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Oxidative stress indicators such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant activity (TAOA) were measured using commercially available kits. The mean values of TLC, lymphocytes and thrombocyte count were significantly (P < 0.05) low in PCV2-infected pigs. The levels of globulin, AST, GGT, BUN and creatinine were significantly increased (P < 0.05) whereas levels of albumin and glucose significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in PCV2-infected pigs. The significant increase (P < 0.05) in MDA level and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in TAOA level were noticed in PCV2-infected animals as compared with healthy control. The present study supports immunosuppression, possible multiple organ damage and oxidative stress associated with naturally occurring PCV2 infection in pigs. Timely vaccination and managemental practices can reduce PCV2 infection in farms. In spite of many research studies, there is still paucity of detailed systemic study on haemato-biochemical alteration and oxidative stress associated with PCV2 infection.

Present research work was conducted to study the effect of different levels of protein and energy on growth and nutrient utilization in crossbred grower pigs.Twenty four crossbred grower pigs were divided into four groups of six each.Animals were fed four different rations containing 100% of protein and energy of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), 100% of protein and 75% of energy of BIS, 75% of protein and 100% of energy of BIS, and 75% of protein and 75% of energy of BIS in T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 groups, respectively to observe its effect on growth and nutrient utilization in crossbred grower pig.The pigs were fed on the experimental grower rations twice daily.Crude protein (CP) content (%) of the ration was ranged from 14.10±0.32 to 18.71±0.54.The average dry matter (DM) intake (g/day) was similar across all the groups which were ranged from 1357.0±5.4 to 1362.5.The majority of the nutrient digestibility coefficients were found higher (P<0.01) in T 3 group followed by T 2 , T 1 and T 4 groups.The average body weight gain (g/day) was 395.7±33.1,383.8±21.1,379.9±12.6 and 375.3±46.0 in T 1, T 2, T 3 and T 4 groups, respectively.The cost of production per kg live weight (Rs.) was ranged from 55.30±1.7 in T 3 to 64.90±8.80 in T 4 group and the values of others were within this range.The cost of production per kg live weight was lowest (P<0.05) in T 3 in comparison to other groups.It is concluded that ration containing 75% of protein and 100% of energy specified by BIS, can meet the nutritional requirement of grower pig without affecting the growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and economy of feeding.

A survey has been conducted among the pig farmers in rural areas of all north east hill states of India about the management practices they are following for the better income from swine farming. Parameters studied are mainly managemental practices like housing system, feed supplementation, deworming, vaccination and treatment strategies. As per the present study findings, the intensive housing system was followed by 56.22% of farms, 73.09% of animals were supplemented with nutritional supplements with either iron, minerals and vitamins or both Deworming and vaccination practices were followed in 52.61% and 54.22% of the animals, respectively. About 23.69% of the total animals were treated with antibiotics at one or the other time. The findings of the present study stresses the need of improvement in the health related managemental practices which can play a vital role in controlling the disease outbreaks and can improve the economic status of small scale pig farmers.

This study describe the seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in north eastern hill (NEH) states of India. Information on PCV2 from NEH states is lacking. Serum samples (306) were collected from the pigs and different epidemiological parameters like age, sex, and litter size of drift or sounder, system of rearing and different clinical symptoms from November 2017 to May 2018. Samples were screened for PCV2 infection by commercially available ELISA kit (INGEZIM PCV IgG and INGEZIM PCV IgM, Ingenasa, Madrid, Spain). Out of 306 serum samples tested, 151 samples were positive for PCV2 infection. An overall PCV2 prevalence of 49.35% was recorded in NEH states of India. Highest prevalence was found in Sikkim (94%) and lowest prevalence in Nagaland (4%). This study revealed that PCV2 is prevalent in all the north eastern states of India which necessitates the need for implementation of prevention and control measures.

A good grading scheme can lead to improvements in efficiency, as producers have a financial incentive to modify their production methods to produce carcases that are the most desired by consumers. In India, consumers and producers often do not have a clear understanding of pork grading and are not into practice. The existing Indian Standard for Specification for pork, i.e. IS: 1723-1973 specifies only two grades of pork, i.e. Grade 1 and Grade 2, which is per se insufficient to meet the current marketing requirements. Thus, a more relevant pork grading system was developed with distinct yield grades (Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 in case of gilt/barrow and Grade 1, 2, 3 and C in case of sow) and quality grades (Grade P, I, N and D). Different classes of grades for gilt/barrow and sow carcasses was necessitated due to distinct difference observed in the pattern of change among the parameters, which directly affected the carcass yield, viz. chilled carcass weight, back fat thickness and percent yield of primal cuts. Data were collected from 1,017 pigs of different breeds and varieties over a period of 9 years and critically analyzed before assigned them to the respective grades. Also, to ensue uniformity in the dressing operations of different pig carcass and to facilitate grading, standard dressing specifications were developed based on chilled carcass weight, separately for gilts/barrows and sows. The new grading system has elements of both classification and grading schemes and is simple to understand and perform.

Bacterial diseases of pigs are important as they cause considerable economic loss due to high morbidity and mortality of the animals. A number of bacterial diseases have been reported by various workers from different parts of the country. Besides the common bacterial diseases, there are incidence of brucellosis, swine erysipelas, greasy pig disease, Streptococcus suis infection and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in pigs. Identification of different serotypes and virulence genes of some of the bacterial pathogens has also been made. An overall picture of bacterial diseases of pigs in India is given in this short review.

The present study was undertaken to detect the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine parvo virus (PPV) in 54 porcine aborted foetuses, stillborns and mummified foetuses. Foetal tissues of heart, lung, spleen and lymphnodes were used for extraction of total DNA and the presence of viral pathogens were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Out of 54 samples, nine (16.6%) samples were positive for PCV2, eight (14.8%) samples were positive for PPV while co-infection with PCV2 and PPV was detected in four (7.4%) samples. The histopathological changes in the foetuses were found to be mostly necrosis in the cells of the developing organs viz. lungs, kidney, liver, heart, brain, spleen and lymphnodes. Lymphoid depletion was observed in the lymphoid follicles of the lymphnodes. Meningoencephalitis in the cerebrum was also seen in both PPV and PCV2 infected foetuses. The results indicated that PPV and PCV2 could be an important infectious agent in cases of porcine stillbirths, abortions and mummified foetuses.

The study was conducted to determine the virulence associated genes and antimicrobial resistance of S. suis associated with various disease conditions of pigs. The VAGs mrp and arcA were present in 79.41% (each) of the isolates whereas sly gene was carried by 64.70% isolates. mrp+ + sly+ + arcA+ mrp+ + sly+ mrp+ + arcA+ and sly+ +arcA+ genes were carried by 23.52%, 20.58%, 35.29% and 20.58% isolates respectively. All isolates were negative for epf gene. Interestingly all the invasive strains carried sly genes whereas only 25% strains from cases of pneumonia carried this gene. The most effective antimicrobial againstsuis was ampicillin (85.29%) and the isolates showed high frequency of resistance to tetracycline (82.35%). The occurrence of relatively high levels of resistance of S. suis to some antimicrobials (e.g. macrolides, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides) as observed in the present study may represent a human health concern.