Pleuropneumonia caused by Haemophilus parahaemolyticus. An attempt to control the disease at two progeny testing stations by serological blood testing followed by removal of the seropositive animals and their litter mates

Abstract

The complement fixation test was employed at two progeny testing stations in an attempt to avoid outbreaks of contagious pleuropneumonia, caused by Haemophilus parahaemolyticus. Pigs were isolated immediately after arrival at the testing stations and blood samples taken for serology. Test groups with seropositive animals were not admitted to the testing station. The sanitation scheme proved successful, in that acute outbreaks were avoided at both stations and the frequency of chronic pleuritis at slaughter fell from appr. 12 per cent to appr. 6 per cent (Station A) and from appr. 8 per cent to appr. 1 per cent (Station B). Accordingly, the complement fixation test may be of value in diagnosing subclinical infections and thus in the control of Haemophilus parahaemolyticus pleuropneumonia.