Seroprevalence to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in gilts and sows

Abstract

Respiratory diseases represent a significant problem in pig farming as they can cause significant economic losses all over the World. One of the most common causes of infection is Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) either as the primary cause of enzootic pneumonia or as one of the causative agents of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRCD). In our study we presented the presence of antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae in 94 blood sera of gilts and 84 blood sera of sows, originated from 4 commercial pig farms. For this purpose, the indirect ELISA test was used. Seroconversion was established in 11 (11.70%) sera of gilts and in 15 (17.85%) sera of sows. The percentage of positive sera differed among the farms, ranging in gilts from 0- 28.57%, and in sows 9.09- 36.84%. The results of the study have shown that infection with M. hyopneumoniae is present in gilts on three and in sows on all four examined farms. Successful control of M. hyopneumoniae depends on the efficient prevention of the transfer of the infective agent. Good results can be achieved using strict implementation of reliable serological methods. The serological control of gilts prior to fertilization is of extreme importance, as it can prevent spreading of the disease within the herd.