Abstract:

Cesarean section: A surgical method to derive pigs free of Streptococcus suis

Sandra F. Amass, DVM, MS; Rexanne Struve, DVM; L. Kirk Clark, DVM, PhD; Ching Ching Wu, DVM, PhD

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Purpose: To determine whether Streptococcus suis of serotypes 1-34 colonizes the oropharyngeal region or the blood of pigs in utero.

Methods: Oropharyngeal and umbilical blood swab samples from 50 Cesarean-derived pigs, and oropharyngeal swab samples from their dams were collected. Pig samples were collected in a sterile bubble at the time of delivery before pigs came into contact with the sow or the environment. All samples were culturally examined for S. suis. Streptococcus suis isolates were serotyped.

Results: Streptococcus suis was not isolated from either oropharyngeal or umbilical blood samples from any pig. Streptococcus suis was confirmed in samples from 8 of 10 sows. The most prevalent serotype of S. suis isolated from sow samples was serotype 22 (62.5%) followed by serotype 9 (12.5%), serotype 23 (12.5%), serotype 4 (6.25%), and serotype 31 (6.25%).

Implications: The oropharyngeal region and blood of Cesarean-derived pigs of S. suis infected dams are free of those serotypes of S. suis isolated from these dams. Consequently, we hypothesize that Cesarean-derived pigs are more likely to be free of S. suis infection.

Keywords: Streptococcus suis, Cesarean section


RIS citationCite as: Amass SF, Struve R, Clark LK, et al. Cesarean section: A surgical method to derive pigs free of Streptococcus suis. J Swine Health Prod 1996;4(4):196-198.

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