Infectious Agents Associated with Abortion Outbreaks in Italian Pig Farms from 2011 to 2021

Bibliographic Details
Title: Infectious Agents Associated with Abortion Outbreaks in Italian Pig Farms from 2011 to 2021
Authors: Anna Donneschi, Matteo Recchia, Claudia Romeo, Paolo Pozzi, Cristian Salogni, Antonio Marco Maisano, Giovanni Santucci, Federico Scali, Silvia Faccini, Maria Beatrice Boniotti, Mario D’Incau, Dominiek Maes, Giovanni Loris Alborali
Source: Veterinary Sciences, Vol 11, Iss 10, p 496 (2024)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Veterinary medicine
Subject Terms: abortion-inducing pathogens, diagnostic protocol, farrowing unit, porcine fetuses, reproductive failure, sow, Veterinary medicine, SF600-1100
More Details: The present study retrospectively analyzed the infectious agents associated with 829 abortion outbreaks occurring from 2011 to 2021 in northern Italy. Foetuses were subjected to necropsies, and organ samples were analyzed by direct PCR to screen for six swine pathogens. In 42.0% of the examined outbreaks, at least one infectious agent was found. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (24.9%) and porcine circovirus-2 (PCV2) (11.5%) were the most frequently detected among the known abortion-inducing pathogens. Chlamydia spp. (5.6%), porcine parvovirus (PPV) (4.0%), and Leptospira spp. (2.6%) were less common. Although its role in swine reproductive disorders is still unclear, PCV3 was detected in 19.6% of the cases. Coinfections were detected in 25.0% of positive outbreaks, and the most frequent coinfection was represented by PRRSV and PCV2 (32.2%), followed by PRRSV and PCV3 (23%). PCV2 prevalence showed a slight but consistent reduction during the study period, while PCV3 increased in frequency. Our data suggest an overall reduction in abortion outbreaks during the study period. PRRSV was confirmed as the main abortion agent detected in the examined area, while PCV2 prevalence showed a decline. Conversely, PCV3 detection has been increasing, supporting its potential role as an abortion agent. Our results highlight the importance of implementing a consistent and standardized sampling procedure, as well as a thorough diagnostic protocol, to reduce the incidence of inconclusive diagnoses.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2306-7381
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/10/496; https://doaj.org/toc/2306-7381
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11100496
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/bddc50d40bf24335879c7a7f38cba4bc
Accession Number: edsdoj.bddc50d40bf24335879c7a7f38cba4bc
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:23067381
DOI:10.3390/vetsci11100496
Published in:Veterinary Sciences
Language:English