Serological testing using a monoclonal blocking ELISA on blood or colostrum samples has proved to be a very convenient tool in surveillance programmes for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in pig herds (1,2). Pigs in all elite breeding herds, multiplier herds and a large number of high health status conventional herds in Norway are regularly tested for antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae. To carry out this programme, many samples have to he tested every year. Since most of the pig herds in Norway are very small (the mean number of sows per herd is about 25), the cost of the testing programme may be relatively high in many herds. To lower the cost of the surveillance programme, this study was performed to determine whether the testing of pooled samples at herd level could replace the use of individual samples.
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