Detection of Clostridium perfringens type C in pig herds following disease outbreak and subsequent vaccination

摘要

Necrotising enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease in pig breeding farms caused by Clostridium yerfringens type C. Vaccination of sows is efficient in reducing disease incidence. It is currently unknown how long C yerfringens type C can be expected to persist in once-affected herds and whether it is possible to eradicate the pathogen from a herd. Herds free of the disease for several years might, therefore, be falsely regarded as pathogen-free. Moreover, absence of disease for several years often prompts farmers to withdraw vaccinations. This can lead to the spread of the pathogen by the distribution of carrier animals and re-emergence of NE after withdrawal of vaccination. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of C perfringens type C in pig herds on farms several years after an outbreak of NE and initiation of a vaccination programme.