Influence of Porcine Housing Density on Species Diversity and Number of Airborne Microorganisms at Fattening Facilities

Abstract

Microbiological composition of air, as a factor of ambient conditions in animal facilities can significantly influence performance, health and animal welfare in the swine production. The aim of this investigation was to determine, by monitoring primary microclimatic conditions, the possible association of the number of fattening pigs per unit of housing space with species diversity and number of airborne microorganisms. The research was conducted at a fattening and finishing facility of 450 m 2 (equipped with 44 pens designed for 10 animals each) with low-pressure ventilation in three different trials. The first trial was conducted during the autumn-winter period with the capacity of 440 animals (0.7 m 2 of pen area per fattening pig), the second trial was conducted during the winter-spring period with 356 animals (0.8 m 2 of pen area per fattening pig), and the third trial was conducted during the spring-summer period with 312 animals (1.0 m 2 of pen area per fattening pig). The air samples for isolation of fungi and mesophilic, haemolytic, and coliform bacteria were taken and microclimatic conditions were monitored during each trial at the same consecutive weekly periods. According to the data obtained from all trials, the total number of bacteria and fungi did not exceed 10 4 and 10 3 CFU per m 3 , respectively. The most numerous were gram-positive bacteria, followed by gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The total number of airborne microorganisms correlates significantly (at p < 0.05) with porcine housing density. These data may be useful for the assessment of housing density at fattening facilities that will not compromise swine health and welfare regarding the microbiological air quality, and thus may contribute to the implementation of optimal rearing conditions in large-scale animal producing units.

Microbiological air quality in free-farrowing housing systems for sows

“…The concentration of HS was found to be lower than that in previous studies ( Curtis et al., 1975 , Pavičić et al., 2007 ). It is possible that the prevalence in the animal population of our study was lower, considering HS are commensals and, thus, highly associated with the animals ( Murphy et al., 2012 , Palzer et al., 2008 ).…”

Effect of microclimate on particulate matter, airborne bacteria, and odorous compounds in swine nursery houses1

“…Kim et al (2008) found a similar concentration of total airborne bacteria [4.13 log (cfu/m 3 )] in pig facilities in Korea. Pavičić et al (2006) also found that the concentrations of coliform bacteria in a fattening house varied from 2.31 to 2.52 log (cfu/m 3 ). The airborne coliforms and E. coli in this study were in the range of 2.08 to 2.43 log (cfu/m 3 ) and 1.36 to 3.04 log (cfu/m 3 ), respectively.…”

Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Bio-Aerosols in Surgery Rooms and Emergency Department of an Educational Hospital

“…On the other hand, there are different kinds of active sampling ( 12 , 13 ) for which a suitable sampler tool is used on the basis of availability and influence. However, Pavicic et al have suggested that eight-step Anderson is better than two-step ( 14 ).…”