The aim of this work was to determine the possible causes of sudden death in fattening pigs associated with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) in a commercial pig farm (Eastern Slovakia). The etiology and pathogenesis of haemorrhagic bowel syndrome is not clearly defi ned within the scientifi c community. For this reason, clinical examination and sampling from 90 kg fi nisher pigs was done. Samples of blood, faeces, and rectal swabs were taken for haematological, serological, bacteriological, virological, and parasitological examination. Necropsy and sampling was also conducted on the carcasses of 90 kg fi nisher pigs that died peracutely during the investigation period. Three weeks later, during slaughter of the same group of pigs, goal-directed investigation and sampling from the gastrointestinal system for histological examination was performed. Results show the presence of bloody diarrhoea caused by L. intracellularis, C. perfringens typ A and haemolytic E. coli. Infl ammation and loss of blood led to moderate normochromic (haemoglobin 12.85±0.95 g.dl-1) normocytic anaemia (erythrocytes 3.38±0.17 T.l-1), hydremia (haematocrit 0.17±0.01 l.l-1) and mild leukocytosis (18.7±4.68 G.l-1). Diagnostic necropsy confi rmed the picture of "haemorrhagic bowel syndrome" caused by infection and subsequent enterotoxemia without presence of gastric or intestinal displacement. Slaughter examination showed picture of proliferative ileitis typical for L. intracellularis. On the basis of our examinations, a major role in haemorrhagic bowel syndrome played infectious agents such as L. intracellularis, C. perfringens typ A and haemolytic E. coli. Negative fi ndings of salmonellosis, dysentery, feed mycotoxins, intestinal parasites, and pollution of drinking water exclude these factors from the etiology of haemorrhagic bowel syndrome.

The aim of this paper was to study the immunostimulating effects of feed additive containing beta-glucan given to pregnant sows and consecutive specific immunomodulation by vaccination of their suckling piglets. Thirty-five suckling piglets from the control and experimental group of sows were divided into four groups. Selected blood indices of immune profile (TIg, IMA, SI), specific antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis formed in the blood serum of suckling piglets after vaccination, as well as production indices were observed. In all the groups, birth body weights were similar. After weaning, average daily weight gains were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the group of vaccinated suckling piglets, as well as in suckling piglets from experimental sows. The same trend was recorded in average TIg values. Significant effects (p < 0.01) of beta-glucan and vaccination were observed in the changes of the index of metabolic activity of phagocytes (IMA) and less markedly in the index of stimulation activity of lymphocytes (SI). The least favorable results were observed in the group without both vaccination and beta-glucan. The effect of vaccination was manifested by ELISA estimation of specific antibodies (PI), when in both non-vaccinated groups (A and D) we observed minimum antibodies levels compared with vaccinated groups (B and C), which showed a high positivity without significant differences between the beta-glucan stimulated (C) and the non-stimulated group (B). These results suggest that beta-glucan given to sows and consecutive vaccination of suckling piglets can stimulate their non specific and specific immunity.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of active non-specific immuno-modulation in form of feeding food additive based on beta-glucan to pregnant sows and consecutive specific immuno-modulation by vaccination of their sucklings. Experimental sows were fed feedstuff with preparation on basis of beta-glucan at a 5% concentration from day 14 before parturition until the weaning of piglets; control sows were fed standard feedstuff only. Sucklings were vaccinated with a single dose of 2 ml of oral vaccine Enterisol ® Ileitis one week before weaning. Collection of biological material was done 3 × in sows and 5 × in sucklings. Postvaccination examination of blood serum for antibodies against L. intracellularis in sucklings in experimental and control groups was negative, probably due to insufficiently long period of rejection of antibiotics-medicated feedstuff and by chlorinated water. With the exception of immunological profile, no essential changes were recorded in the dynamics of other indices of examined profiles in groups of sows in relation to immune-modulation. In groups of sucklings from sows fed beta-glucan supplemented feedstuff significant changes were determined for various indices compared with sucklings from sows fed standard foodstuff. This is the first similar study in pig herds in Slovakia.