Transmission - Direct: on pneumonia-free farms, infections occur by the entrance of new carrier animals. - Indirect: aerosols (2 to 3 km) The pathogen is disseminated between animals on a farm by direct contact as well as by aerosols
Clinical sign - Respiratory: a dry and chronic cough in fattening pigs. Productive and growing parameters worsen, which leads to great productive and economic losses.
Lesions - Macroscopic: well defined violet-grey consolidation, which begins with the apical cells. This lesion, although typical, is not pathognomic. - Microscopic: destruction of flagellum and apical cells of the respiratory tracks. Hyperplasia, peribronchial and perivascular lymphoreticular.
Diagnosis - Causal identification agent: PCR, isolation in Friis environment (very difficult isolation), direct immunofluorescence. - Serological: indirect and blocking ELISA
Treatment, Prevention and Control A simultaneous combination of vaccination (inactivated vaccine) and antibiotic treatments helps to control the disease and its adverse effects. Multi-site production and the use of various systems such as medicated, early weaning helps to control the disease. Eradication, although possible, is extremely difficult on most farms. Tiamulin, lincomycin, tilosine, doxycycline and enrofloxacin are effective antibiotics.
