A new multiplex qPCR, targeting Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae, M. hyorhinis and M. flocculare, was developed and the relationship between detection of those mycoplasma species and the extent of gross pneumonia‐like lesions in slaughtered pigs lungs were investigated.

The feasibility of using individual and pen-based oral fluid samples to detect PRRSV antibodies in growing-finishing pigs and group-housed sows was investigated. The diagnostic performances of a commercial oral fluid ELISA (OF-ELISA) and a serum ELISA (SER-ELISA) performed on individual or pooled samples from 5 or 10 pigs and sows was evaluated. The performance of the OF-ELISA was also assessed for pen-based oral fluids. Eight hundred and thirty-four pigs and 1598 sows from 42 PRRSV-infected and 3 PRRSV-negative herds were oral fluid sampled and bled. PRRSV antibodies were detected by an OF-ELISA performed at individual, pool (5 or 10 samples) and pen levels. Serum samples were tested by a SER-ELISA at individual and pool levels. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISAs for individual samples were assessed by Bayesian analysis. The relative diagnostic performance for the pools was calculated by taking individual samples as the gold standard. SER-ELISA and individual OF-ELISA results were used as references for estimating OF-ELISA performance for pen-based samples. Individual oral fluid collection was feasible in all kinds of pigs, whereas pen-based samples were unsuccessful in 40% of the group-housed sow pens. High levels of sensitivity comparable to those of the SER-ELISA were found for the OF-ELISA when performed on individual, 5-sample pool or pen-based samples from pigs or sows. The OF-ELISA lacked specificity for individual samples from sows. Pooling 5 individual oral fluid samples or using pen-based samples increased test specificity.

Group-housing, rather than individual-housing systems, is mandatory for gestating sows in the European Union (2008/120/EEC). However, leg problems occur more frequently in group-housing than in individual-housing systems and are a welfare and health concern. A cross-sectional study involving 108 farms in western France was carried out to see whether the type of the 4 main group-housing systems (i.e. large groups with electronic feeder station in stable or in dynamic groups, small groups in walk-in lock-in stalls or partial feeding stalls), and other husbandry practices, were associated with leg disorders. In each farm, the sows were examined visually for claw lesions, scored for lameness and their breeding characteristics were recorded. Lameness was positively correlated with heel lesions and dewclaw lesions. A concrete slatted floor, as compared to straw, was a major risk factor (unadjusted relative risk (RR)=9.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 4.4–34.5). Walk-in lock-in stalls were found to be the most protective system. A logistic regression model was used to identify those factors which significantly increased the risk of leg problems. These factors were: housing in large groups (RR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–2.4), dirty floors (RR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.0–2.9), high level of ammonia (RR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–2.1), severely restricted feeding particularly during the last stage of pregnancy (RR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.1) and a high number of sows per stockman (RR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.4).

The frequency of sporadic cases of hepatitis E in humans in developed countries has increased in recent years. The consumption of raw or undercooked pig liver-based products has been identified as an important source of human infection. The question of possible massive human exposure to this zoonotic agent has been raised by the high prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in swine herds. However, little is known about the epidemiology of HEV on pig farms. A retrospective study, based on a previous prevalence study of 185 farms, was conducted on 90 farms located in Western France, randomly selected from this database, to identify factors associated with the presence of HEV in pig livers and HEV seroprevalence in slaughter-age pigs. At least one HEV RNA-positive liver was found in 30% of the sampled farms while seroprevalence in slaughter-age pigs at the farm level reached almost 75%. Different factors were associated with the two conditions. The risk of having HEV-positive livers was increased by early slaughter, genetic background, lack of hygiene measures and surface origin of drinking water. High HEV seroprevalence was associated with mingling practices at the nursery stage and hygiene conditions. These results can be used to determine on-farm measures to reduce within-farm HEV spread and infection of slaughter-age pigs.

Herd-level factors associated with European H1N1 or H1N2 swine influenza virus (SIV) infections were assessed by mean of a cross-sectional study carried out in 125 herds in France. Serum samples from 15 fattening pigs in each herd were tested by haemagglutination inhibition. Data related to herd characteristics, biosecurity, management and housing conditions were collected by questionnaire during the farm visit. Climatic conditions in the post-weaning and fattening rooms, where the sampled pigs were housed, were measured over 20 h. Factors associated with H1N1 or H1N2 sero-positive status of the herd were identified by logistic regressions for binary outcome. For both subtypes, the odds for a herd to be SIV sero-positive increased if there were more than two pig herds in the vicinity (OR = 3.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.4–7.6, p < 0.01 and OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.5–8.1 p < 0.01 for H1N1 and H1N2 respectively). Different factors were specifically associated with either H1N1 or H1N2 SIV infections. The odds for a herd to be H1N1 sero-positive were significantly increased by having a large number of pigs per pen in the post-weaning room (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2–8.6, p = 0.02), temperature setpoints below 25 °C (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–6.4, p = 0.03) and below 24 °C (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–6.1, p = 0.03) for the heating device in the farrowing room and the ventilation controller, respectively, and moving the pigs to the fattening facility via a room housing older pigs (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–9.6, p = 0.03). A H1N2 sero-positive status was associated with a brief down period in the farrowing room (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–6.3, p = 0.03), small floor area per pig in the post-weaning pen (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2–7.0, p = 0.02), large-sized fattening room (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1–5.9, p = 0.03), lack of all-in all-out management in the fattening room (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.0–5.8, p = 0.04) and a temperature range of less than 5 °C controlling ventilation in the fattening facilities (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4–7.4, p < 0.01). Factors related to external and internal biosecurity and to the control of inside climatic conditions should be considered together when implementing programmes to better control SIV infections.

Relationships between macroscopic lesions and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp), Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App), Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) and Streptococcus suis (Ssuis) of the lungs of 3731 slaughter pigs from 125 herds were assessed in France. Pneumonia and pleuritis were the most frequent lesions (69.3% and 15% of the lungs, respectively). Mhp, Pm, App, Ssuis and Hps were detected in 69.3%, 36.9%, 20.7%, 6.4% and 0.99% of the lungs, respectively. Mhp and Pm were associated with pneumonia at both the pig and herd levels. Pleuritis was not associated with any pathogen at the pig level, but was associated with a high percentage of pigs PCR-positive for App at the herd level. Measures focused on control of Mhp, Pm and App should significantly reduce the occurrence of both pneumonia and pleuritis.

A cross-sectional study involving 143 farrow-to-finish herds was carried out to identify herd-level noninfectious factors associated with pneumonia and pleuritis in slaughter pigs. Data related to herd characteristics, biosecurity, management and housing conditions were collected by questionnaire during a farm visit. Climatic conditions were measured over 20 h in the post-weaning and finishing rooms where the slaughter pigs were kept. After these on-farm investigations, the finishing pigs were examined at slaughter for lung lesions. A sample of 30 randomly selected pigs per herd was scored for pneumonia and pleuritis. Herds were grouped into three categories according to their pneumonia median score (class 1: <= 0.5; class 2: 0.5 < score <= 3.75; class 3: >3.75). For pleuritis, a herd was deemed affected if at least one pig had a high pleuritis score (>= 3). A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with pneumonia classes 2 and 3. A logistic regression for binary outcome was used to identify risk factors for severe pleuritis. An interval of less than four weeks between successive batches (OR = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.5-13.6, p < 0.01), large finishing room size (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.6-11.6, p < 0.01) and high mean CO2 concentration in the finishing room (OR = 4.2, 95%CI: 1.6-11.3, p < 0.01), significantly increased the odds for a herd to be in class 2 for pneumonia. The same risk factors were found for class 3 and, in addition, a direct fresh air inlet from outside or from the corridor in the post-weaning room vs an appropriate ceiling above the pigs (OR = 5.1, 95% CI: 1.4-18.8. p = 0.01). The risk for a herd to have at least one pig with a high pleuritis score was increased when the farrowing facilities were not disinsected (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-5.8, p = 0.01), when tail docking was performed later than 1.5 days after birth (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.7, p = 0.01) and if the piglets were castrated when more than 14 days old (OR = 2.7. 95%CI: 1.1-6.8, p = 0.03). A temperature range of less than 5 degrees C for the ventilation control rate in the farrowing room (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-5.9, p = 0.01), a mean temperature in the finishing room below 23 degrees C (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3-6.8, p < 0.01) and large herd size (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.4-6.9, p < 0.01) were also associated with increased risk of pleuritis. The factors affecting pneumonia and pleuritis seemed to be different. All rearing steps from farrowing to finishing must be taken into account in any health programme aimed at controlling pneumonia and pleuritis and lung health may be improved through several pathways, i.e. correcting managerial and hygienic factors, implementing an appropriate and well-functioning ventilation in order to offer favorable climatic conditions. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.