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Diagnostic notes
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January and February, 1997 |
A simple technique for tracheal culture to detect respiratory pathogens
in live pigs
Gloria Solano, DVM, MS; Carlos Pijoan, DVM, PhD
GS, CP: Clinical and Population Sciences, University of Minnesota, 1988
Fitch Avenue, Room 385, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108
Diagnostic notes are not refereed
Copyright (C) 1997 American Association of Swine Practitioners
Also available in PDF format.
Isolation of respiratory colonizers such as Streptococcus suis
and Haemophilus parasuis from the upper respiratory tract of naturally
infected animals is very difficult, because oropharyngeal swabs usually
get contaminated with common inhabitants of the normal flora. The fastidious
growth requirements of bacteria from the Haemophilus spp. underscores
the importance of performing a careful bacteriological study. Selective
substances in the growth media used for isolation are usually helpful, but
it has been shown that overgrowth of contaminants can completely prevent
isolation of Haemophilus spp.1
In our experience, a successful bacteriological identification of respiratory
colonizers depends on obtaining a good-quality sample after the piglet has
been immobilized. A very convenient approach is to administer an anesthetic
to relax the animal and facilitate swabbing the tonsil or upper trachea.
In an effort to follow the dynamics of mucosal colonization by H. parasuis,
we developed a technique that allows the isolation of organisms that colonize
the tonsil and upper respiratory tract of swine.2
Materials and methods
The piglets from which samples have been taken included animals from
different ages, as early as 1 day old. Administer a combination of 2 mL
Xylazine (Rompum(R) 100 mg per mL) mixed in a 10-mL bottle of
Ketamine hydrochloride (Ketaset(R) 100 mg per mL) intramuscularly
to small piglets (1-15 days old) at a dose between 0.1 mL to 0.3 mL, according
to their size. After 10 minutes, place the pig in a sitting position, extending
the neck toward the front in order to facilitate visualization of the internal
structures. After gently retracting the tongue, introduce a laryngoscope
(Jorvet 80 mm blade) into the oropharyngeal cavity. Position the tube above
the tip of the epiglottis as the reference point for the intubation. Introduce
a noncuffed endotracheal tube (Sheridan(R) 3.0 mm) containing
a flexible aluminum swab approximately 1 inch (3 cm) into the trachea (Figure
1). Once the endotracheal tube is secured, unsheath the swab into the tracheal
lumen and gently swab the wall of the trachea. In order to avoid contamination,
immediately pull the swab pack into its original sheathed position (inside
the tube) before withdrawing the endotracheal tube. Once outside the animal,
remove the swab and introduce it directly into a tube with culture media
(e.g., Frey Mycoplasma broth supplemented with 20% horse serum and
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [0.16 mg per mL]). Grow the cultures overnight
at 37°C in 5% CO2 after performing five serial ten-fold dilutions
from the original sample. Then plate the highest dilution tube where growth
is present onto an appropriate selective media.
For most practitioners, when trying to isolate a pathogen such as H.
parasuis, it has been found that samples taken from animals that have
not been previously immobilized are usually contaminated. The effect of
Xylazine and Ketamine combination at a low dose is adequate for performing
simple diagnostic procedures. Recovery from this anesthetic combination
is usually rapid, allowing the animals to be returned to their crates soon
after the swab is taken. Most piglets are able to attain a standing position
after 30 minutes. However, FDA approval of these anesthetics is currently
under discussion.
References
1. Pijoan C, Morrison R, Hilley H. Dilution technique for isolation of
Haemophilus from swine lungs collected at slaughter. J Clin Microbiol.
1983; 18:143-145.
2. Solano G, Rapp-Gabrielson V, Carvalho L, Collins J, Winkelman N, Pijoan
C. The role of maternal immunity in Haemophilus parasuis infection.
Proc AASP Annual Meeting. 1996; Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 433-436.
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