Pig Enteric Disease
Description
Lawsonia intracellularis (proliferative enteropathy), Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (swine dysentery) and Brachyspira pilosicoli (porcine intestinal/colonic spirochaetosis) are among the most common and economically important pathogenic bacteria responsible for diarrhoea in pigs.
Lawsonia intracellularis
Lawsonia intracellularis infection is known to be a significant cause of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in pigs. PE is characterised by diarrhoea, necrosis, haemorrhage or any combination referred commonly as “ileitis” affecting the health and production efficacy within the pig industry worldwide. Ileitis in pigs can present as both sub-clinical ileitis and clinical ileitis. Clinical ileitis can range from acute proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy (PHE) and death in naive adult pigs to diarrhoea and wasting in growing pigs. Sub-clinical ileitis can present as impacted growth rate in the absence of diarrhoea and other clinical symptoms. L. intracellularis can be detected in both small and large intestinal samples.
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection commonly associated with “swine dysentery” causes clinical disease characterised by mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea, reduced growth performance and marked inflammation limited to the large intestine (caecum and/or colon).B. hyodysenteriae is frequently seen in grower / post weaning pigs and causes major losses to the industry.
Brachyspira pilosicoli
Brachyspira pilosicoli infection, linked to intestinal spirochaetosis, frequently colonises the large intestine and causes colitis, diarrhoea, reduced productivity and poor growth rate. B. pilosicoli occurs commonly in pigs at weaning and can also cause avian intestinal spirochaetosis in adult chickens.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on histopathology and PCR detection of enteric pathogens.
Tests available
Test1 | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae conventional PCR1 | Faeces, intestinal contents, intestinal tissue, PCR from culture | Monday – Friday | Up to 5 days |
| Brachyspira pilosicoli conventional PCR1 | Faeces, intestinal contents, intestinal tissue, PCR from culture | Monday - Friday | Up to 5 days |
| Lawsonia intracellularis qPCR31 | Faeces, intestinal contents, intestinal tissue | Monday - Friday | Up to 5 days |
Lawsonia intracellularis conventional PCR1 | Faeces, intestinal contents, intestinal tissue | Monday - Friday | Up to 5 days |
| Pig Enteric Multiplex PCR Assay (Includes B hyodysenteriae; B pilosicoli; L intracellularis)1 | Faeces, intestinal contents, intestinal tissue, culture | Monday - Friday | Up to 5 days |
1 This test is not NATA accredited
2 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Services on 1800 675 623 (option 1).
3 Detectable levels of Lawsonia intracellularis are reported as "capable of causing sub-clinical ileitis" or "capable of causing clinical ileitis".
Additional Information
Specimen requirements
| Faeces |
|---|
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| Intestinal samples |
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Customer Service
Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.
CONTACT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
| Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
Quotations
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Submission Forms
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
Courier services and specimen delivery
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |
