PROFILING MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE IN FIVE MACEDONIAN COMMERCIAL PIG FARMS USING SEROLOGY AND LUNG LESIONS SCORING

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a causative agent of enzootic pneumonia in pigs and it has primary role in the porcine respiratory diseases complex (PRDC). The objective of the study was to profile M. hyopneumoniae infections in five Macedonian commercial pig farms by serology and by lung lesions assessment at slaughter. Five commercial pig farms (A, B, C, D, E) vaccinating against M. hyopneumoniae were included in the study. During a single visit, blood samples were taken from five different pig categories including 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22 weeks of age. Ten animals per age group from each farm were sampled and analyzed for the presence of antibodies using ELISA. In total 250 lungs (50 lungs per farm) were evaluated and scored for lesions typical of M. hyopneumoniae at slaughterhouse. All farms were seropositive to M. hyopneumoniae. Statistical differences in the prevalence of positive animals were detected in 10 weeks (range 0 to 80%), 14 weeks (range 20 to 100%) and 22 weeks (30 to 100%) old groups. Serological trend in farm A was similar with farm E, whilst farm B had similar serological response with farm C. Mean lung lesion score (LLS) for all farms was 11.5, while significantly higher LLS was observed in farms D (14.4) and A (13.6) in contrast to farms C (8) and B (9.5). The results indicate that farms A and E revealed best serological response due to vaccination. Lower LLS found in farms B and C is probably associated with additional managerial practices besides vaccination. Combination of proper vaccination protocol and good managerial practices could improve overall profile in Macedonian commercial pig farms regarding M. hyopneumoniae and PRDC in general.