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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Actinobacillosis is caused by the bacteria [[Actinobacillus suis| '''''Actinobacillus suis'''''. In piglets aged 1 to 8 weeks old the organism causes acute and rapidly fatal septicaemia, and localized infections such as endocarditis, polyarthritis, and respiratory distress may also been seen with additional neurological signs. Adult pigs can suffer pneumonia like symptoms, see [[Actinobacillus suis#Clinical Signs| clinical signs]] for more details.  It is not considered a zoonosis but there has been a report of human infection after a pig bite <ref>Escande, F., Bailly, A., Bone, S., Lemozy, J. (1996)'''Actinobacillus suis infection after a pig bite'''. '''''Lancet''''' (British edition), 348(9031):888; 5 ref</ref>.

Actinobacillosis is caused by the bacteria [[Actinobacillus suis| '''''Actinobacillus suis''''']]. In piglets aged 1 to 8 weeks old the organism causes acute and rapidly fatal septicaemia, and localized infections such as endocarditis, polyarthritis, and respiratory distress may also been seen with additional neurological signs. Adult pigs can suffer pneumonia like symptoms, see [[Actinobacillus suis#Clinical Signs| clinical signs]] for more details.  It is not considered a zoonosis but there has been a report of human infection after a pig bite <ref>Escande, F., Bailly, A., Bone, S., Lemozy, J. (1996)'''Actinobacillus suis infection after a pig bite'''. '''''Lancet''''' (British edition), 348(9031):888; 5 ref</ref>.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

High health status herds with lower immune challenges are more at risk then conventional herds.  Piglets from high health status herds can suddenly die without any premonitory signs. Excessive temperature fluctuation, high humidity, mixing of pigs of different ages and overcrowding may also have an important role in the development of disease.

High health status herds with lower immune challenges are more at risk then conventional herds.  Piglets from high health status herds can suddenly die without any premonitory signs. Disease progression can be exaccerbated by excessive temperature fluctuation, high humidity, mixing of pigs of different ages and overcrowding. Genetic make up and immune status can also influence infectivity rate and clinical signs.

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Clinical signs vary from fever, lethargy, depression, erysipelas-like lesions, abscesses, haemorrhage, vomiting/regurgitation and lameness and multiple joint swelling.  More serious cases progress to pneumonia (clinical signs similar to [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae#Clinical Signs| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']]) and sudden death.  Cardiorespiratory signs include tachycardia, heart murmurs, purulent or serous occulonasal discharges, sneezing, coughing, abnormal lung sounds, dyspnoea, changes in heart rate and open mouthed breathing.  Aural purulent mucoid discharge and increased amounts of wax are present along with a foul odour.  Pigs can become deaf and are often found rubbing and scratching their ears. Affected animals are in a lot of pain and discomfort and suffer from dysphagia, lymphadenopathy, anorexia, and unthriftiness.  In sows it can cause agalactia, mastitis, abortions, still births or weak piglets.

Clinical signs vary from fever, lethargy, depression, erysipelas-like lesions, abscesses, haemorrhage, vomiting/regurgitation and lameness and multiple joint swelling.  More serious cases progress to pneumonia (clinical signs similar to [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae#Clinical Signs| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']]) and sudden death.  Cardiorespiratory signs include tachycardia, heart murmurs, purulent or serous occulonasal discharges, sneezing, coughing, abnormal lung sounds, dyspnoea, cyanosis changes in heart rate and open mouthed breathing.  Aural purulent mucoid discharge and increased amounts of wax are present along with a foul odour.  Pigs can become deaf and are often found rubbing and scratching their ears. Affected animals are in a lot of pain and discomfort and suffer from dysphagia, lymphadenopathy, anorexia, and unthriftiness.  In sows it can cause agalactia, mastitis, abortions, still births or weak piglets.

Neurological signs include head tilt, circling, temors, nystagmus, strabismus, decreased or absent menace response, ptosis, miosis or meiosis, photophobia, headshaking, opisthotonus, facial paralysis, paraparesis and ataxia.

Neurological signs include head tilt, circling, temors, nystagmus, strabismus, decreased or absent menace response, ptosis, miosis or meiosis, photophobia, headshaking, opisthotonus, facial paralysis, paraparesis and ataxia. Further occular signs associated with this disease is corneal oedema and ulceration.  

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

[[File:Actinobacillus suis.jpg|thumb|200px|right| Actinobacillus suis. Gram stain]]

[[File:Actinobacillus suis.jpg|thumb|200px|right| Actinobacillus suis. Gram stain]]

Diagnosis can be difficult as its clinical signs are similar to other pathogens, such as ''Streptococcus suis'' and ''Haemophilus parasuis'', both being able to induce a septicaemic infection with sudden death. Infection can be confirmed by the isolation of ''A. suis'', from culturing infected tissue.  On post-mortem serous or fibrinous exudates can be found in the thorax and pericardium and ecchymotic haemorrhages can be seen in kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen and other organisms.

Diagnosis can be difficult as its clinical signs are similar to other pathogens, such as ''Streptococcus suis'' and ''Haemophilus parasuis'', which also cause septicaemic infection and sudden death. Infection can be confirmed by the isolation of ''A. suis'', from culturing infected tissue.  On post-mortem serous or fibrinous exudates can be found in the thorax and pericardium and ecchymotic haemorrhages can be seen in kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen and other organisms.

'''Differential diagnosis''': [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']],  [[Erysipelas - Pig|''Erysipelas'']], [[Glasser's Disease| ''Glasser’s disease'']], [[Streptococcus suis| ''Streptococcus suis'']], and [[Mulberry Heart Disease| ''Mulberry heart disease'']].

'''Differential diagnosis''': [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']],  [[Erysipelas - Pig|''Erysipelas'']], [[Glasser's Disease| ''Glasser’s disease'']], [[Streptococcus suis| ''Streptococcus suis'']], and [[Mulberry Heart Disease| ''Mulberry heart disease'']].