Detection of common pathogens in rectal samples of pre-weaned piglets with diarrhoea

Lai, Joey Yee Qing (2023) Detection of common pathogens in rectal samples of pre-weaned piglets with diarrhoea. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Pre-weaned piglet diarrhoea is a significant challenge in the swine industry, causing high pre-wean mortality rate reaching up to 19%, translating into substantial economic losses. This study focuses on detection of several common pathogens associated with diarrhoea in pre-weaned piglets, including enteric salmonellosis, clostridial enteritis, coccidiosis, and coronaviral gastroenteritis and their relationship to various husbandry factors. The study analysed 183 rectal samples collected from pre-weaned piglets with diarrhoea across 15 farms spanning Perak, Selangor, and Johor. These samples were grouped into 61 pools based on individual litters (n=61). All rectal samples were subjected for bacterial isolation of Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens, as well as Modified McMaster oocyst count (OPG) for Cystoisospora suis and nested reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) for Coronaviridae family detection. In general, 49.2% of pre-weaned diarrheic piglets are from young parity sows, and 67.34% from litter size more than 11 piglets. Clostridium perfringens spp and Coronaviridae were the most commonly detected pathogens in all diarrhoeic samples, exhibiting striking prevalence rates of 97.96% and 77.05% respectively, with significant correlation (r=0.285, p<0.05) observed between the two pathogens. This is followed by Cystoisospora suis (14.75%) and Salmonella spp. (3.28%). 73.77% of total samples were co-infected by two to three pathogens. There were significant weak to moderate positive correlations between co-infection and the presence of Clostridium perfringens (r=0.386, p<0.05), Coronaviridae (r=0.561, p<0.01), and farrowing crate emptying time (r=0.282, p<0.05). An emptying time of 3-5 days was associated with a significantly lower percentage of co-infections (p<0.05) compared to 1 day and 7 days, implying that this timeframe may serve as an effective strategy to minimise co-infections in piglets. Further study of faecal scoring assessment, additional pathogen sequencing and economic impact assessment are recommended to further enhance the depth and applicability of this research.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms Nurhaznita Mahmood
Date Deposited:	19 Nov 2024 03:12
Last Modified:	19 Nov 2024 03:12
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2167

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