Die nekrotisierende Enteritis des Saugferkels durch Clostridium perfringens Typ C: I. Beobachtungen zu Klinik, Bekämpfung und Epidemiologie

Abstract

Necrotizing enteritis in piglets is caused by the spore-forming anaerobe Clostridium perfringens type C. The pathology is believed to be due to the production of beta-toxin by the agent and the infection tends to persist in affected herds despite appropriate hygiene measures. During the period 1989 to 2001, 35 outbreaks were observed in 15 herds in a limited geographic region in northwestern Switzerland in the canton of Fribourg. Initial outbreaks of acute disease were followed by chronic manifestations of necrotizing enteritis in eleven herds. Since clinical symptoms in case of chronic necrotizing enteritis and of mixed infections were rather non-specific, diagnosis in all herds was confirmed by gross pathological analysis, intestinal histology and bacteriological culture. After initial evaluation in 135 litters (1500 piglets), metaphylaxis consisted of penicillin for outbreaks of acute disease or of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid pending results of laboratory confirmation. Vaccination with a C. perfringens toxoid vaccine (Gletvax 6, also containing E. coli pilus antigens) together with penicillin chemoprophylaxis was used in 2400 litters (27,000 piglets). In 12 to 17% of litters disease recurred during this combined prophylaxis. Necrotizing enteritis persisted in all affected herds throughout the follow-up period.

Clostridium perfringens type C necrotic enteritis in pigs: diagnosis, pathogenesis, and prevention

“…In these cases, strict hygiene to reduce environmental contamination and thus infection pressure on newborn piglets is mandatory to reduce the immediate loss of piglets born shortly after the first cases of NE. Metaphylactic anitmicrobial treatment has also been used successfully to reduce losses during outbreaks 37,71 ; however, in light of the emerging problem of antimicrobial resistance, this method should be avoided as much as possible.…”

Vaccination against Clostridium perfringens type C enteritis in pigs: a field study using an adapted vaccination scheme

“…The results of few studies on in pigs [3, 9–13] and laboratory animal challenge models [2, 14] suggest that anti-CPB antibodies are a useful indicator of immunity against C. perfringens type C enteritis. This is supported by epidemiological data showing that vaccination largely reduces the incidence of NE on pig breeding farms [2, 15, 16].…”

“…The applied vaccination scheme can influence the levels of antibodies in sow colostrum and milk, and thus protection against disease [12, 13]. Currently it is recommended to vaccinate primiparous sows (gilts) twice after insemination and before their first farrowing followed by one booster vaccination prior to every subsequent farrowing [2, 3, 13, 15]. Nevertheless, we and others have experienced that NE occasionally still re-occurs in immunized herds [15, 17].…”

“…Currently it is recommended to vaccinate primiparous sows (gilts) twice after insemination and before their first farrowing followed by one booster vaccination prior to every subsequent farrowing [2, 3, 13, 15]. Nevertheless, we and others have experienced that NE occasionally still re-occurs in immunized herds [15, 17]. Failure of piglets to receive adequate amounts of protective antibodies via colostrum and milk, trypsin secretion deficiencies in piglets, and colostral trypsin inhibitors are factors discussed to contribute to such outbreaks [1].…”