title: Dynamics of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae seroconversion and infection in pigs in the three main production systems.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the dynamics of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in 66 pig farms, with different production systems (one-, two-, and three-site systems), and considered different risk factors. Serological assay was used to detect serum antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect M. hyopneumoniae DNA in tracheobronchial swabs. Results demonstrated that M. hyopneumoniae infection status was predominantly influenced by the age of the animals and the type of production system. Infection rates were higher in older animals and the prevalence was higher in the one- and two-site systems than in the three-site systems. Dynamics of infection by RT-PCR showed that earlier M. hyopneumoniae infection on one-site farms occurs earlier, while on two- and three-site farms occurs later but spreads faster, suggesting that contact between animals of different age favors the transmission.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacomini
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.|Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitozzi
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Remistani
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giardiello
authors.affiliation: Unit of Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominiek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy. giovanni.alborali@izsler.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni Loris
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Alborali
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D045705:Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D045729:Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000635:transmission*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069078:Seroconversion; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae; RT-PCR; Serology; Tracheobronchial swabs; Vaccine