Isolation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 by immunomagnetic separation

In Denmark porcine pleuropneumonia is most frequently caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 (60%). Isolation of A. pleuropneumoniae from nasal cavities or tonsils from carrier animals is complicated due to the mixed bacterial flora present. An immunomagnetic separation technique (IMS) using immunomagnetic beads (Dynabeads((R))) was developed for isolation of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 from pure cultures and from heterogeneous suspensions. Different coating and washing procedures were evaluated in pure and mixed cultures using polyclonal (PAb) and monoclonal antibodies. The highest reisolation yield was achieved when the beads were coated with 1.5 microg PAb IgG/10(7) beads. After washing the beads for four times 9-24% of the bacteria could be reisolated depending on the amount of IgG attached to the beads and the number of beads used. The recovery was increased to 19-61% when only two washing steps were performed. The IMS was further evaluated using dilutions of A. pleuropneumoniae with added Pasteurella multocida (10(9) CFU/ml). After two washing steps 15% of the A. pleuropneumoniae cells and no P. multocida was reisolated. A detection limit of 10 CFU/ml was found in this heterogeneous suspension. No significant difference was observed when comparing the recovery of A. pleuropneumoniae from pure culture, from mixed cultures and from artificially inoculated tonsils. From 12 pigs inoculated with an aerosol of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 the bacterium could not be detected from the nasal cavity or tonsils by cultivation or PCR 6 weeks later. By using IMS A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 could be reisolated from the tonsils of three pigs. The IMS method represents a valuable tool for isolation of A. pleuropneumoniae from tissue samples.     

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infections in closed swine herds: infection patterns and serological profiles

Many farrow-to-finish herds are endemically infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. In order to control the disease efficiently, a better knowledge of the ages at which pigs become infected is necessary. Furthermore, no information is available concerning the influence of maternally derived antibodies on the colonization of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, A. pleuropneumoniae infection patterns were studied in five farrow-to-finish pig herds (A-E) with a history of pleuropneumonia. A longitudinal study was carried out in herds A and B. In these herds, piglets from sows carrying A. pleuropneumoniae in their noses or tonsils were sampled. Nasal and tonsillar swabs as well as sera, were collected from these animals at the age of 4, 8, 12, 16 (herds A and B) and 23 weeks (herd B). At these ages other pigs from the same sows were euthanized. The lungs were macroscopically examined and samples from nose, tonsils and lungs were collected at necropsy. A cross-sectional study was performed in herds C-E. In these herds nasal and tonsillar swabs, as well as sera, were taken from 10 animals of 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. Lung, nasal and tonsillar samples were tested for the presence of A. pleuropneumoniae by routine bacteriology and PCR with mixed bacterial cultures. The sera were examined for the presence of Apx toxin neutralizing antibodies. In herd A, A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 and 10 strains were isolated, whereas serotype 2, 3, 5b and 8 strains were demonstrated in herd B. In most herds, A. pleuropneumoniae was detected in mixed bacterial cultures of tonsillar and/or nasal samples by PCR from the age of 4 weeks onwards. Colonization of the lungs and development of lung lesions was observed in 12- and 16-week-old animals of herd A and 23-week-old animals of herd B. In most herds, high antibody titres were detected in 4-week-old piglets. These titres decreased during the first 12 weeks of age, but thereafter, increased. It was concluded that PCR with mixed bacterial cultures from tonsillar swabs is a valuable tool for the detection of infected animals. It was also concluded that colonization of tonsils and nasal mucosae can occur in the presence of maternally derived antibodies. Infection of the upper respiratory tract without lung involvement did not result in development of Apx toxin neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, such serological assays cannot be used for the detection of subclinically infected animals.     

Serological characterization of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae strains isolated from pigs in Quebec.

A total of 3306 isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae originating from lung tissues of pigs that died of acute pleuropneumonia and 140 isolates recovered from tonsils or nasal cavities of apparently healthy pigs from chronically infected herds were serotyped. Various serotyping methods, such as slide agglutination, tube agglutination, ring precipitation, coagglutination, immunodiffusion, indirect hemagglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis either alone or in combination were used. The techniques used for serotyping continued to evolve during the last 10 years depending on the problem encountered in serotyping. Antisera prepared in rabbits against formalinized whole cell suspensions of reference strains of A. pleuropneumoniae of serotypes 1 to 12 were employed for serotyping. Serotype 1 was predominant ranging from 55 to 87% from year to year during the last 10 years with an average prevalence of 68%. Serotype 5 was second in prevalence ranging from 9 to 30% with a mean of 23%. Both subtypes of serotype 5 (5a and 5b) were present in Quebec. Serotypes 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 were isolated in small numbers together accounting for about 9%. Serotypes 4, 9 and 11 were not present. Cross-reactions were observed among isolates of serotypes 3, 6 and 8, and 1, 9 and 11 and were easily differentiated from each other by quantitation of type and group specific antigens by coagglutination and immunodiffusion tests. Serotypes 1, 5 and 7 were isolated most frequently from tonsils of pigs from chronically infected herds. Prevalence of different serotypes in different countries has also been reviewed.     

Prevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Actinobacillus suis, Haemophilus parasuis, Pasteurella multocida, and Streptococcus suis in representative Ontario swine herds

Tonsillar and nasal swabs were collected from weanling pigs in 50 representative Ontario swine herds and tested for the presence of 5 important bacterial upper respiratory tract pathogens. All but 1 herd (2%) tested positive for Streptococcus suis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); 48% of herds were S. suis serovar 2, 1/2 positive. In all but 2 herds there was evidence of Haemophilus parasuis infection. In contrast, toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida were detected by a P. multocida--enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (PMT-ELISA) in only one herd. Seventy-eight percent of the herds were diagnosed positive for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by apxIV PCR. Sera from finishing pigs on the same farms were also collected and tested by ELISA for the presence of A. pleuropneumoniae antibodies. Seventy percent of the herds tested had evidence of antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae including serovars 1-9-11 (2%), 2 (4%), 3-6-8-15 (15%), 5 (6%), 4-7 (26%), and 12 (17%). This likely represents a shift from previous years when infection with A. pleuropneumoniae serovars 1, 5, and 7 predominated. At least 16% and possibly as many as 94% of the herds tested were Actinobacillus suis positive; only 3 of the 50 herds were both A. pleuropneumoniae and A. suis negative as judged by the absence of a positive PCR test for apxII. Taken together, these data suggest that over the past 10 years, there has been a shift in the presence of pathogenic bacteria carried by healthy Ontario swine with the virtual elimination of toxigenic strains of P. multocida and a move to less virulent A. pleuropneumoniae serovars. As well, there appears to be an increase in prevalence of S. suis serovar 2, 1/2, but this may be a reflection of the use of a more sensitive detection method.     

Transmission of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pigs under field-like conditions: emphasis on tonsillar colonisation and passively acquired colostral antibodies

The objectives of this study were to elucidate at which age tonsillar colonisation by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae occurs in pigs and relate this occurrence to the presence of colostral antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae. The infection patterns were studied in an isolated cohort of pigs, which consisted of the offspring from five sows originating from a conventional pig herd. The sows were transferred to isolated research facilities before farrowing. A. pleuropneumoniae was detected on the tonsils of all sows. After a nursing period of 3 weeks, the pigs were weaned and reared isolated from other pigs until slaughter. The pigs were examined repeatedly for the presence of A. pleuropneumoniae on the tonsils and for antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae using bacteriological and serological techniques, respectively.A. pleuropneumoniae was detected in the tonsils of one pig as early as 11 days after birth, showing that A. pleuropneumoniae can be transmitted from sow to offspring during a 3-week nursing period. The cumulative proportion of pigs carrying A. pleuropneumoniae in their tonsils increased significantly between the age of 4-12 weeks. This age period corresponded to the age at which the proportion of pigs with detectable levels of colostral antibodies to the different serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae was declining. Since these two events take place in the same age period, we expect a possible biological association between the level of the passive immunity and the degree of tonsillar colonisation. The median duration of tonsillar colonisation was estimated to approximately 7-8 weeks.     

Evaluation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae diagnostic tests using samples derived from experimentally infected pigs

New serological tests have recently been introduced for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae diagnosis. No information is currently available on how these tests compare regarding the detection of antibodies from subclinically infected pigs. To answer this question, 80 pigs were randomly assigned to experimental groups infected with A. pleuropneumoniae serovars 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 and a non-inoculated control group. Blood samples and oropharyngeal swabs were collected prior to infection and for 7 consecutive weeks thereafter. Serum samples were tested using the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA and the Multi-APP ELISA (University of Montreal). All pigs were euthanized at 49 days post-inoculation. Tonsil and lung samples were cultured for isolation and tested by PCR. The Multi-APP ELISA detected seroconversion 1 week earlier than the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA with the earliest seroconversion detected at 1 week post-infection (serovar 10) and the latest at 3 weeks post-infection (serovar 1). Seroconversion at day 49 was serovar-dependent and varied from 4 (44%) positives detected in the serovar 10 group to 9 positives (100%) detected in the serovar 15 group. Thirty-one pigs were serologically positive for A. pleuropneumoniae at 49 days post-infection and only 15 still carried A. pleuropneumoniae on their tonsils based on PCR results. No cross-reactions were observed when serum samples were cross-tested using the Swinecheck(?) APP ELISA. A. pleuropneumoniae was successfully isolated from the lung of 2 pigs that developed pleuropneumonia, but was not isolated from tonsils due to heavy contamination by the resident flora. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic tools currently available for detection of A. pleuropneumoniae subclinical infection.     

Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in cultures from nasal and tonsillar swabs of pigs by a PCR assay based on the nucleotide sequence of a dsbE-like gene

A PCR assay for the detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was developed based on the amplification of a dsbE-like gene. All of 157 field isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae reacted in the PCR by the amplification of a 342bp product. No reaction was observed with related bacterial species or other bacterial species isolated from pigs, except for A. lignieresii. The lower detection limit of the PCR was 10(2) CFU per PCR test tube and was not affected by the addition of 10(6) CFU Escherichia coli. The PCR was evaluated on mixed bacterial cultures from nasal and tonsillar swabs as well as suspensions of nasal conchae and tonsils obtained from specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs, experimentally infected pigs, and pigs from farrow-to-finish herds. The results of the new PCR were compared with a PCR based on the detection of the omlA gene coding for an outer membrane protein, with a commercially available PCR (Adiavet APP, Adiagène, Saint-Brieuc, France), and with conventional culturing. No positive reactions were observed with any of the PCR methods in samples of SPF animals. In samples of the other animals, no or low significant differences between nasal swabs and suspensions as well as tonsillar swabs and suspensions were observed in any method. In general, more positive results were obtained from tonsillar samples in comparison to nasal samples. Interassay sensitivity and specificity values were assessed for each test by pair wise comparisons between assays. The agreement between tests was evaluated by calculating Cohen's kappa coefficient. From these analyses the three PCR assays showed a good agreement. The dsbE-based PCR proved to be highly sensitive (95 and 93%) and specific (82 and 74%) in comparison to the omlA-based PCR and the commercially available PCR, respectively. It was concluded that the dsbE-like gene-based PCR is a reliable diagnostic assay for demonstration of A. pleuropneumoniae. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that tonsillar swabs can be used for the detection of the pathogen in healthy carrier animals.     

Serological cross-reactivity between a porcine Actinobacillus strain and Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae.

During serological screening of a closed SPF-herd free of pleuropneumonia, more than half of the pigs were positive for complement-fixing antibodies to Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae. Actinobacillus bacteria closely related to A. suis were isolated from tonsillar tissue of 14 out of 20 slaughtered pigs submitted for pathological and bacteriological evaluation. None of the pigs had evidence of respiratory disease. Two pigs inoculated endobronchially with a selected Actinobacillus strain developed mild focal pneumonia and complement-fixing antibodies cross-reacting with H. pleuropneumoniae. Five pigs exposed and vaccinated with the Actinobacillus strain and five pigs spontaneously infected with the strain also developed complement-fixing antibodies against H. pleuropneumoniae and appeared to be less susceptible to experimental Haemophilus pleuropneumonia than pigs not exposed to the Actinobacillus infection. The agglutination test applied on serum treated with 2-mercaptoethanol detected antibodies against H. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 but not against serotype 1 in pigs exposed to the Actinobacillus strain. Antibodies reactive with the Actinobacillus strain were also found in pigs hyperimmunized against H. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1-5 in 2-mercaptoethanol tube agglutination test and rabbits hyperimmunized against serotypes 1,2 and 7, and strain 73567 in the immunodiffusion test. Conversely rabbits immunized against the Actinobacillus strain had antibodies against H. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. It is concluded that pigs infected with Actinobacillus organisms may become false positive reactors against H. pleuropneumoniae.     

Early in vivo interactions of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae with tonsils of pigs.

Twenty gnotobiotic piglets were inoculated with 5 x 10(8) colony forming units of an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biotype 1-serotype 9 strain onto their tonsils. Five other piglets (controls) were inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Pigs were euthanized at 30 min, 90 min, 180 min, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h or 24 h after inoculation. At necropsy, samples were taken from the tonsils for bacteriological, histological, immuno-histochemical and electron microscopical examination. A. pleuropneumoniae was isolated from tonsils of all the infected pigs, but not from tonsils of the control pigs. Early after inoculation bacteria were mainly associated with the stratified squamous epithelium and detached epithelial cells. Vacuolization and desquamation of the epithelium was observed and many transmigrating neutrophils were present. At later times after inoculation, bacteria were found closely associated with the crypt-walls and with detached cells present in the crypts. A strong neutrophil migration was observed mainly in the deeper parts of the crypts. It is concluded that attachment of A. pleuropneumoniae to tonsillar epithelial cells probably constitutes a first step in establishing bacteria at this body site.     

Evaluation of serology,bacteriological isolation and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of pigs carrying Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract after experimental infection

Pigs, asymptomatically infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in their upper respiratory tract, can transmit the infection. Detection of such animals is indispensable to prevent the intake of the disease in a herd. This study was conducted to evaluate bacteriology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology for the detection of subclinically infected pigs. Pigs were inoculated onto the tonsils with an A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain (n=12, group 1) or phosphate buffered saline solution (PBSS) (n=5, group 2). To prevent infection of the lungs, pigs of group 1 were treated three times with sodium ceftiofur as an aerosol. A third group (n=5) was inoculated intranasally with the same strain. All animals were euthanized 30 days post-inoculation (dpi). In pigs of group 1, clinical signs were not observed. A small lung lesion was found in only one pig and A. pleuropneumoniae was isolated from this lesion. The bacterium was not isolated from the lungs of animals that did not develop lung lesions. A. pleuropneumoniae was demonstrated in tonsils of 9/12 animals using bacteriological isolation, whereas it was demonstrated in mixed bacterial cultures from tonsils of all 12 animals by PCR. In non-infected animals (group 2), clinical signs were not observed and A. pleuropneumoniae was not demonstrated in any sample. All intranasally infected animals (group 3) developed disease signs and lung lesions. High antibody titers against ApxI, ApxII and heat-stable antigens were detected in animals that developed lung lesions. Antibody titers against these antigens were low or absent in all other pigs. It was concluded that pigs carrying A. pleuropneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract generally do not show measurable antibodies in serum. Therefore, sensitive methods for the detection of the etiological agent such as PCR are required to identify carrier animals, while serological methods are not suitable.     

An on-farm study of the epidemiology of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in pigs as part of a vaccine efficacy trial

Thirty cohort pigs were followed from birth to slaughter to study epidemiological patterns of porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. The study was conducted within a larger 380-animal study of vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae in a 340-sow farrow-to-finish piggery with 4-month weaning, operating a continuous system of intensive production in the North Island of New Zealand. The cohort pigs were randomly allocated into two equal groups: vaccinated and control. Pigs in the first group were vaccinated at 2 and 4 weeks of age with both M. hyopneumoniae vaccine and A. pleuropneumoniae vaccine at separate vaccination sites. A series of nasal swabs was taken at 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks of age. Each swab was streaked onto the surface of a selective medium on the farm and the plates were immediately transported to a laboratory and incubated at 37 degrees C for 5 days. After the trial, pigs were slaughtered at an average of 132 days of age, lungs were examined and samples taken for bacteriological culture and isolation. Thirty-five out of 256 samples produced haemolytic colonies which were Gram-negative, V-factor-dependent and positive to the CAMP test. A. pleuropneumoniae was first isolated at 4 weeks of age from one vaccinated pig. This finding suggests that piglets became infected in the farrowing pen and the source of infection might be a carrier sow. The interval-specific cumulative incidence of A. pleuropneumoniae infection reached a maximum of 54% and 40% at 11 weeks of age in the vaccinated and control groups, respectively. Infection status of the litter is considered to be a factor influencing morbidity in infected herds during weaner and grower periods. Our results suggest that simultaneous vaccination with M. hyopneumoniae and A. pleuropneumoniae vaccines at 2 and 4 weeks of age might lessen the prevalence but cannot absolutely prevent A. pleuropneumoniae infection during the weaner or grower-finisher periods.     

Experimental aerosol transmission of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to pigs.

In order to demonstrate the possible role of aerosol in the transmission of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, an experiment including 18 specific pathogen-free (SPF), 10-week-old piglets, randomly distributed into 2 adjacent units, was carried out. In these facilities, air was forced through absolute filters to prevent any contact with infectious agents. During the first 6 d post inoculation, the 2 units were connected by a rectangular opening and the air circulation was forced by the ventilation system from unit A (inoculated pigs) to unit B (non-inoculated pigs). The A. pleuropneumoniae strain (biovar 1 serovar 9) was isolated in France from an outbreak of porcine pleuropneumonia. Two different infecting doses, 10(7) cfu/animal and 10(8) cfu/animal, were inoculated by intranasal route in 6 pigs of unit A. The infection spread quickly from the inoculated pigs to the non-inoculated pigs. Clinical signs were acute during the 4 d post inoculation: hyperthermia, respiratory distress and, sometimes, death (6 pigs of the unit A and 2 pigs of the unit B). All pigs seroconverted against A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 9 within 2 weeks. Lung lesions were severe: fibrinous pleurisy and lung hemorrhages in the acute stage, pleural adherences and focal pulmonary necrosis in the chronic stage. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the tonsils and/or lungs in 16 animals. It could be also isolated from the air of the experimental unit. This study showed that A. pleuropneumoniae was readily transmitted through aerosol over a distance of at least 2.5 m.     

Assessment of the efficacy of tilmicosin phosphate to eliminate Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae from carrier pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of in-feed medication with tilmicosin phosphate in order to eliminate or reduce the carriage of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in the tonsils of carrier pigs. Two groups of 6 carrier animals received either a non-medicated feed (control group) or feed medicated with 400 ppm of tilmicosin phosphate (treated group) for 30 d. Three sentinel pigs were then introduced in each group and left for 29 d. The presence of A. pleuropneumoniae in tonsils was monitored using several techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At the end of the treatment all of the control animals, but only 1 treated pig, were positive by PCR from tonsillar surface material. However, at necropsy, all control and most treated animals, as well as 1 sentinel animal, in both groups were positive by PCR from whole tonsils. In conclusion, under the experimental conditions, in-feed treatment with 400 ppm of tilmicosin phosphate significantly reduced the presence of A. pleuropneumoniae on the surface of tonsils but was unable to completely eliminate the organism from deeper tonsillar tissues and to prevent bacterial shedding by carrier animals.     

An abattoir survey of pneumonia and pleuritis in slaughter weight swine from 9 selected herds. III. Serological findings and their relationship to pathomorphological and microbiological findings

Blood samples from 777 pigs, originating from 9 different herds, were collected at slaughter and examined for antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae by the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and the complement fixation (CF) test, respectively. Results were compared to pathological and microbiological findings. Antibodies to M. hyopneumoniae in positive titers of 1/80 or higher were found in 62% of the samples. The relationship between positive IHA titers to M. hyopneumoniae and gross findings indicative of enzootic pneumonia of pigs (EPP), histological findings indicative of EPP, the isolation of M. hyopneumoniae and the demonstration of M. hyopneumoniae by indirect immunofluorescent testing ranged from 64% to 68%. No correlation was noted between positive IHA titers and the isolation of Mycoplasma flocculare. Positive antibody titers to A. pleuropneumoniae of 1/10 or higher were detected in 5% to 85% of the samples from individual herds. Positive titers to A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 were found in 71% to 79% of the sampled animals from herds with high frequencies of pneumonic lesions indicative of pleuropneumonia. In herds with low frequencies of pleuropneumonia, positive titers were recorded in from 0 to 4% of the tested pigs. However, no statistical association was found between pleuropneumonia and positive titers to A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 in individual animals. Twenty-one per cent of samples with positive CF titers to A. pleuropneumoniae showed antibodies to more than one serotype.     

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Thai pig herds. Prevalence of serum antibodies and relation to performance

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infections in market weight pigs in Thailand. ELISA systems employing purified lipopolysaccharide antigens were used to detect antibodies in 549 serum samples collected from pigs of 22 herds. Relevant cut-off values were established from three herds defined seronegative. Serum antibodies were detected to all serotypes except serotype 10. Almost 60% of the samples were seropositive to at least one serotype and 45% of the pigs were seropositive to more than one serotype. Antibodies to the cross-reacting serotypes 1, 9 or 11 were found in 29% of the pigs. Other common serotypes included the cross-reacting serotypes 3, 6 or 8 (26% seropositive pigs) and serotype 5a (also 26%). Antibodies to serotypes 2, 5b and 12 were low in prevalence (<10%). Three herds were regarded to be seronegative and six to have a low pathogen load with respect to the prevalence of seropositive pigs. The remaining 13 herds had a high incidence of pigs with antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae, dominated by serotypes 1-9-11 and 5a (n = 6), serotypes 3-6-8, and 5a (n = 4) or 1-9-11, 3-6-8, 5a and 4-7 (n = 3). A low pathogen load with respect to A. pleuropneumoniae, as well as small herd size and age-segregated rearing, tended to improve the performance of growers.     

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae isolation from the upper respiratory tract and tonsils of pigs.

The occurrence of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae at different locations of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils of pigs was investigated in herds with problems of arthritis apparently caused by this microorganism. The isolation of M. hyosynoviae was facilitated by the use of a medium selectively suppressing the growth of Mycoplasma hyorhinis. M. hyosynoviae was cultured from 106 of 178 tonsils of slaughterhouse pigs from 8 herds but could not be isolated from the mucosa of the nasal cavity or the oral-pharyngeal area of 100 living, 10-20 weeks old pigs in 5 of the herds. The value of the selective principles in the medium appears from the circumstance that 86 of the 106 isolates were obtained despite the presence of M. hyorhinis. It is concluded that the tonsil is a reservoir for M. hyosynoviae and is probably the location of choice for an easy demonstration of the presence of this mycoplasma in a pig herd.     

猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌的分离与鉴定

从山东省泰安市采集的38份具有严重呼吸道症状的病死猪的肺脏、气管和扁桃体进行胸膜肺炎放线杆菌(APP)的分离鉴定,其中14株菌株表现出形态多样性、革兰氏染色阴性等特点,小鼠试验显示有较强的毒力,PCR电泳结果得到了650bp的预期目的片段。系统的生物学鉴定表明,这14株分离菌为胸膜肺炎放线杆菌(Actinobacillus Pleuropneaumoniae,APP)。对确诊的14株APP采用凝集试验进行血清型检测。结果从山东省泰安市分离到14株2个血清型的胸膜肺炎放线杆菌,其中,血清7型8株、血清5型6株,血清7型、5型为绝对优势血清型。     

猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌PCR诊断方法的建立与应用

根据胸膜肺炎放线杆菌ApxⅣ基因设计1对引物，扩增特异的650bp棱酸片段，建立了应用PCR检测猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌的方法。特异性试验结果表明，12个血清型的放线杆菌参考菌株均能扩增出650bp特异性的核酸片段，而大肠杆菌、多杀性巴氏杆菌、猪肺炎支原体、伤寒沙门氏菌和支气管败血性波氏杆菌的扩增结果均为阴性。敏感性试验结果表明，PCR的最低检出限量为500个放线杆菌。利用建立的PCR检测方法对22株从山东省不同地区分离的疑似胸膜肺炎放线杆菌菌株进行检测．结果14株为阳性。对感染猪病变组织的检测结果表明，病变部位不同，胸膜肺炎放线杆菌的检出率不同，其中以扁桃体的检出率最高。     

Evaluation of a selective medium for isolation of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae.

Crystal violet, lincomycin, spectinomycin and bacitracin were evaluated as selective agents in media for isolation of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae. No single antimicrobial agent or combination of two or more inhibited all non-Haemophilus strains (Escherichia coli, Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus equisimilis and Staphylococcus aureus) without marked suppression of 16 H. pleuropneumoniae strains. A medium containing 1 micrograms/mL of crystal violet, 1 microgram/mL of lincomycin, 8 micrograms/mL of spectinomycin and 128 micrograms/mL of bacitracin inhibited one E. coli strain and the Gram-positive strains while H. pleuropneumoniae strains were suppressed to a minor degree only. Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae was isolated on the selective medium on three occasions from the nose or pharynx of two out of eight experimentally inoculated pigs. Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae was recovered from the nose of only two pigs at necropsy and from tonsil of one, whereas the lower airways in most pigs and the lung lesions in all pigs were positive. There was no advantage to using the selective medium for the recovery of H. pleuropneumoniae at necropsy from these eight experimentally infected pigs, probably because other bacteria were absent or present in very low numbers in the tissues with H. pleuropneumoniae. The isolation rate on selective medium was higher than the rate on non-selective medium (p less than or equal to 0.1; chi 2 test) when the airways of slaughtered pigs were cultured. This was likely due to a high degree of contamination. Dry swabs placed in tryptone yeast extract with nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide gave a significantly higher recovery rate than commercial Culturette swabs in modified Stuart's transport medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serodiagnosis of pleuropneumonia using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with capsular polysaccharide antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Capsular polysaccharide antigens of serotypes 1, 2, 5 and 7 of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to test sera from experimentally infected and field pigs. Specific reactions were found in sera of experimental pigs with antigens of serotypes 1, 5 and 7 whereas the serotype 2 antigen was cross-reactive. A 1:200 serum dilution was used for testing of 300 sera from 21 swine herds in southern Ontario. Cases of pleuropneumonia had occurred in 11 of these herds, but not in the others. The negative cut-off value was the mean optical density at 405 nm (OD405) + three standard deviations (SD) for 16 negative reference sera. Sera from four pigs naturally infected with Actinobacillus suis were tested and found to react to varying degrees with each of the antigens. Therefore a second cut-off value was determined as the mean OD405 + 2 SD for the A. suis sera. Sera which, in the ELISA produced OD readings above the latter cut-off were considered positive for antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae; those which were lower than the former cut-off were considered negative. Readings between the two cut-off values may have been due to low positive titers or cross-reactivity, possibly with A. suis, and could not be used to predict pleuropneumonia. Of the pleuropneumonia-free herds, none had positive reactors to serotypes 5 or 7, whereas one and two herds had positive reactors to serotypes 1 and 2, respectively. Of the pleuropneumonia positive herds, six had positive reactors to serotype 1, one to serotype 2, four to serotype 5, and eight to serotype 7.