The first report of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in a pig farm

Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) is a relatively new dise ase that was first described in 1991 in Scotland. In Spring 2000 in a large (annual production 40 000 fatteners) pig farrow-to-finish-farm symptoms of porcine post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was observed wi thin a group of 8-9 weeks weaned pigs. Approximately 2 weeks later clinical symptoms of PDNS appeared among 20-60 kg younger pigs. The prevalence of t he syndrome was relatively low and did not exceeded 1% of all growers and f atteners. The sick animals were lethargic, with haemorrhages covering mainl y the hind limbs and perineal area. With tune, the lesions became covered w ith centrally localised dark crusts. PDNS-affected pigs indicated anorexia, depression and sometimes mild pyrexia. All pigs with skin changes died wit hin 3 weeks from the onset of the disease. Gross necropsy findings on alt dead pigs included skin haemorrhages, consol idation of the apical lobes of the lungs, enlarged and pale kidneys with pe techial haemorrhages and significantly enlarged and haemorrhaged lymph node s. Samples of kidneys, spleen, skin, lymph nodes, tonsils and blood from se veral dead pigs were taken for histopathology, bacteriological and viral ex aminations. Histopathological lesions typical for PDNS re were observed in all the pigs examined and included: - necrosis of glomeruli and casts in th e lumen of dilated renal tubules in the kidneys; - multinuclear cells in th e region of severe lymphocyte depletion in lymph nodes; necrosis of arteria l walls in the spleen; - diffuse necrosis of the epidermis in the skin as w ell as infiltration of mononuclear cells and small haemorrhages. Porcine ci rcovirus type 2 (PCV-2) and PRRSV nueleic acid was present in the tissues o f all dead pigs as well as antibodies to PCV-2, PPV and PRRSV In conclusion , on the basis of the course of the disease, clinical symptoms, gross necro psy findings and histopathological examinations it might be stated that the reason for economical losses in farm B was porcine dermatitis and nephropa thy syndrome.