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Clinical and epizootological characteristics of an outbreak of swine dysentery in an industrial farm

Comprehensive epizootological, clinical-pathological, and molecular assessment of an outbreak of swine dysentery at a private farm in Ukraine, including identification of the sources of the pathogen, the course of the disease, and the effectiveness of treatment and preventive measures. The study was conducted on a private pig farm (186 sows, 4 boars) during October-November 2015 during an outbreak of dysentery. The epizootological investigation was performed in accordance with the principles of the STROBE-Vet Statement as a descriptive cross-sectional study with elements of cohort analysis. Diagnostics included epizootological analysis, clinical examination, pathological autopsy (n=6), and molecular diagnostics using PCR (n=40 fecal samples). The outbreak occurred as a result of the importation of two batches of replacement young stock (20 and 40 heads) from breeding farms in Ukraine. Among the imported animals, the incidence was 100% with a mortality rate of 15%, while in the main herd the mortality rate was zero due to the presence of prior immunity. The cumulative incidence reached 57%, with an incidence rate of 0.18 cases per animal-day. PCR diagnostics detected B. hyodysenteriae in 100% of samples from imported pigs and 70% from the farm's own herd. Pathological changes were characterized by mucosal-hemorrhagic typhlocolitis in the acute form and diphtheritic-necrotizing colitis in the subacute form. The use of tiamulin and lincomycin in combination with veterinary and sanitary measures ensured the recovery of most animals and the localization of the outbreak. The study confirmed the importance of importing replacement young stock as the main risk factor for the introduction of swine dysentery. Timely diagnosis based on a comprehensive analysis of epizootological, clinical, pathological data, and molecular confirmation allowed for the implementation of effective anti-epizootic measures and minimization of economic losses to the farm.

Keywords: swine dysentery, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, epizootology, outbreak, replacement young stock, PCR diagnosis, pathological changes, tiamulin.

R. Tyrsin


TSARENKO T. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4373-5958


BILYK S.V. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4590-0881


GONCHARENKO V.


SAVCHENIUK M. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2306-4114


SHEVCHENKO M. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7002-1494


PANTELEIENKO O. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4311-9680


DOVHAL O.


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Scientific Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2'2025