title: Decreased mortality of weaned pigs with Streptococcus suis with the use of in-water potassium penicillin G.
abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of potassium penicillin G in drinking water of weaned pigs to reduce mortality and spread of infection caused by Streptococcus suis. A total of 896 18-day-old weaned pigs were randomly assigned to either treatment with potassium penicillin G in-water (Treated), or no treatment (Control). The outcomes analyzed were total mortality, mortality due to S. suis, and overall counts of S. suis colonies. The risk of mortality due to S. suis and total mortality were significantly increased in the Control group compared with Treated pigs (P < 0.05). Bacterial culture of posterior pharyngeal swabs indicated that Control pigs were significantly more likely to have ≥ 1000 colonies of S. suis per plate than were Treated pigs (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that potassium penicillin G administered in drinking water is effective in reducing mortality associated with S. suis infection and reducing tonsillar carriage of S. suis.
authors.affiliation: Greenbelt Swine Veterinary Services, Chilliwack, British Columbia.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byra
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gadbois
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gottschalk
authors.forename: Vahab
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Farzan
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Jeff B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000662:veterinary*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D017011:Streptococcus suis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014881:Water Supply; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G