An investigation to determine the cause of haemorrhagic enteritis in commercial pig grower units in the northern parts of South Africa

Authors

  • Annemarie Labuscagne CS Vet Consultancy
  • B. Tom Spencer University of Pretoria
  • Jackie A Picard University of Pretoria
  • Mark C Williams James Cook University

Abstract

Necropsies were performed on 36 grower pigs that died peracutely on farms in the northern parts of South Africa. All these pigs were suffering from haemorrhagic enteritis and suspected toxaemia. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were taken for histopathological examination and a section of ileum was collected for microbiological examination from each animal. Histological lesions characteristic of enterotoxigenic Clostridium infection were found. Large, Gram-positive bacilli were sometimes abundant in sections and mucosal smears of the intestine. However, only 40% of the cultures were positive for Clostridium perfringens.

Author Biographies

  • Annemarie Labuscagne, CS Vet Consultancy

    CS Vet Consultancy, Waterkloof, South Africa

  • B. Tom Spencer, University of Pretoria

    Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort campus, South Africa

  • Jackie A Picard, University of Pretoria

    Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort campus, South Africa

  • Mark C Williams, James Cook University

    Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, James Cook University, Australia

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Published

2021-12-03

Issue

Vol. 83 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Research