Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a disease of bacterial origin with negative impact on reproduction performance. It causes testes inflammation and abortions. It is a zoonotic disease of significant importance.

Information

This disease is caused mainly by the bacteria Brucella suis. In rare occasions other Brucella species (including B. abortus, B. melitensis) can infect pigs. Brucella suis does not exist in the UK, Ireland and some other countries of the EU, Canada and most of the states of the US, but it is widely spread in most of the rest of pig producing countries. It is an important disease, because it can be transmitted to humans causing severe disease. The carrier status persists during long periods of time. Feral swine are often infected and can spread disease between regions.

The bacteria can survive outside the pig during long periods of time, particularly at freezing or near freezing temperatures.

When a sow gets infected, the organism establishes in the placenta, causing inflammation and ultimately abortion. B. suis infects the testicles and the accessory reproductive glands, and can be excreted in semen.

Symptoms

Sows / Boars

The infection can be subclinical.
Bacteremia.
Infertility.
Abnormal estrus.
Abortions at any stage.
Vaginal discharges with pus or sometimes blood.
Late returns to estrus.
Delayed returns to estrus.
Lameness.
Swollen / painful testicles

Lactating piglets

Paralysis in hind legs.

Weaners and growers

Swollen testicles.
Lameness.

Causes / Contributing Factors

Sexual transmission.
The boar is the main transmission source, either by direct contact or by artificial insemination.
Pigs can also get infected via the conjunctiva, nose or mouth.
The North European hare can also get infected, and it is considered a natural host.
Carrier sows.

Diagnosis

Culture.
PCR.
Serology is used to detect sows previously exposed which are likely to have persistent infection, although crossed reactions with the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica are frequently produced.