Investigations into enterohaemorrhagic syndrome in pigs

Clinical, pathomorphological and microbiological findings in cases of enter ohaemorrhagic syndrome (EHS), gastrointestinal tympany (GIT) and gastric to rsion (GT) in pigs (86, 46 and 10 cases, respectively) were analysed taking into account incidence and symptoms of these conditions as well as the nut ritional management in the herds of origin. The frequency of EHS within the necropsy material was 1,7 per cent in growing pigs, 8 per cent in finishin g (or fattening) pigs an 7,3 per cent in reproductive sows. No seasonal inf luence could be established. In 30,2 per cent of the herds of origin of the material EHS occurred only as single cases, more often (69,8 %), however, multiple cases were found or reported within a given herd. In herds with a high incidence EHS was more often accompanied by GIT and GT. Reported clini cal observations were: sudden death without any clinical symptoms (92,5 %) or quick death preceded by acute abdominal tympany, abdominal pain or sligh t non-haemorrhagic diarrhoea. The diagnosis EHS accompanied by intestinal d isplacement can only be established by necropsy. In 11,6 per cent of the in vestigated cases the displacement had already been resolved spontaneously a t the moment of necropsy. Gastrointestinal tympany was a common finding, it s frequency and degree decreased in the following order: cecum and proximal colon, small intestine, stomach. In the investigated herds liquid feeding was most frequently applicated (86,1 %), no influence of the dietary consti tuents upon the incidence of EHS could be found. Microbiological culture re vealed yeasts in 93,3 per cent, 91,3 per cent and 70 per cent of the cases of EHS, GIT and GT, respectively. The highest numbers of positive cultures and of counted microorganisms on average were found in the cecum and the pr oximal colon. Rates of Clostridium perfringens isolations were 45,3 per cen t in EHS, 50 per cent in GIT and 70 per cent In GT. It is concluded that ye asts with its fermenting activities, and probably Clostridium perfringens t oo, play a causative role in the etiology and pathogenesis of the EHS.