THE USE OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) FOR THE DETECTION OF TOXIGENIC PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA AND BORDETELLA BRONCH1SEPTICA IN NASAL SWABS

摘要

Toxigenic Pasteurella multocida (PmT) and Bordetella bronchiseptica are involved in rhinitis and in infections of the upper respiratory tract as well as in pneumonia in pigs. Whereas toxigenic Pasteurella multocida is the causative agent of atrophic rhinitis (AR), Bordetella bronchiseptica is discussed to lead to non fatal rhinitis, predisposing AR, and to respiratory infections in suckling piglets that result in pneumonia in nursery pigs and growers. Antibody tests are known to be insensitive in thedetection of antibodies directed to Pasteurella multocida toxin in diseased animals. Thus existing antibody ELISAs are not useful in the control and eradication of PmT. Furthermore serological tests for Bordetella bronchiseptica cannot efficiently be used to monitor infections in pig populations.