THE ETIOLOGIC AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF MYCOPLASMA-HYOPNEUMONIAE IN THE RESPIRATORY-DISEASE COMPLEX OF PIGS

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the primary aetiological agent of enzootic pneumonia in pigs. M. hyponeumoniae has a worldwide occurrence and is highly adapted to pigs. Pigs are infected aerogenously by contact and movement of pigs. Mycoplasma colonize the bronchiolar epithelium resu lting in damage to cilia and in the impairment of lung clearance. Thes e are important in the pathogenesis because secondary invaders can col onize more easily and produce a more severe pneumonia, the so-called M IRD (Mycoplasma Induced Respiratory Disease). Diagnosis of M. hyopneum oniae infection requires laboratory investigation by detection of anti bodies and/or antigen. The medicated early weaning and the SPF program me are recommended to control porcine mycoplasma infections. Under bot h experimental and field conditions, vaccination with commercially pro duced inactivated M. hyopneumoniae vaccines was successful and offers a greater potential for the effective control of enzootic pneumonia in pigs.