Mycoplasma suis: Strategies for control

摘要

Mycoplasma suis (M. suis) infection can result in a variety of clinical signs in growing and adult swine and should not be overlooked as a significant pathogen. Formerly known as Eperytbrozoon suis. Mycoplasma haemosuis, and finally M. suis, this bacteria has been implicated in cases of dysga-lactia,1 reproductive failure due to abnormal estrus or fetal loss, anemia and icterus of both neonatal and feeder pigs, and performance reduction resulting from diarrhea and increased numbers of poor-doing pigs.2 Subclinical infection can also occur.3 Direct blood transfer contributes to the spread of infection. Biting insects and contaminated equipment have been proposed to be major routes of bacterial spread. In-utero transmission has also been shown to occur.2 After transmission, the incubation period is variable. Once the bacteria is detectable animals can experience a fever which may increase as the bacterial load increases,3 liver damage, and bone marrow suppression.2 The bacteria also damage the membranes of red blood cells resulting in their removal during normal circulation.4 Diagnostic criteria or tests include: Identification of bacteria adhering to red blood cells,3 finding a normochromic anemia with icterus, indirect hemagglutination tests for antibody,5 and most recently a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect nucleic acid has been developed.16