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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

''A.suis'' is a beta-haemolytic '''Gram-negative bacterium'''.  Strains of ''A.suis'' vary due to differences in their '''lipopolysaccharides (LPS)''', which are known as ''''O' antigens''' and are referred to as '''O1,O2''' and '''O3''' and '''capsules (CPS)''', refered to as''''K' antigen''' with variants described as '''K1, K2''' and '''K3'''. More than 95% of A. suis clinical isolates are cross-reactive with O1/K1 or O2/K3 antiserum and more severe infection were noted with O2/K2 srain <ref name="Slavic et al., 2000">Slavic, D., DeLay, J., Hayes, M.A., MacInnes, J.I.(2000) '''Comparative pathogenicity of different Actinobacillus suis O/K serotypes'''. ''Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research'', 64(2):81-87.</ref>.  This '''opportunistic''' bacteria mainly causes [[Actinobacillosis - Pig| '''actinobacillosis in pigs''']], but has also been linked to neonatal calf pneumonia and localised infections, airsaculitis in waterfowl, and polyarthritis in alpacasand, to septicaemia, acute haemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia in horses and [[Actinobacillus suis#signalment| various other species]].

''A.suis'' is a beta-haemolytic '''Gram-negative bacterium'''.  Strains of ''A.suis'' vary due to differences in their '''lipopolysaccharides (LPS)''', which are known as ''''O' antigens''' and are referred to as '''O1,O2''' and '''O3''' and '''capsules (CPS)''', refered to as''''K' antigen''' with variants described as '''K1, K2''' and '''K3'''. More than 95% of A. suis clinical isolates are cross-reactive with O1/K1 or O2/K3 antiserum and more severe infection were noted with O2/K2 srain <ref name="Slavic et al., 2000">Slavic, D., DeLay, J., Hayes, M.A., MacInnes, J.I.(2000) '''Comparative pathogenicity of different Actinobacillus suis O/K serotypes'''. ''Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research'', 64(2):81-87.</ref>.  This '''opportunistic''' bacteria mainly causes [[Actinobacillosis - Pig| '''actinobacillosis in pigs''']], but has also been linked to diseases in neonatal calfs, waterfowl, alpacas, horses and [[Actinobacillus suis#signalment| various other species]].

Other haemolytic strains of ''Actinobacillus species'' have been linked to various diseases in horses such as [[Actinobacillus equuli| ''Actinobacillus equuli'']] and [[Actinobacillosis - Cattle|''Actinobacillus ligneresii'']]. The latter species also causes [[Actinobacillosis - Cattle|wooden tongue in cattle]].  

Other haemolytic strains of ''Actinobacillus species'' have been linked to various diseases in horses such as [[Actinobacillus equuli| ''Actinobacillus equuli'']] and [[Actinobacillosis - Cattle|''Actinobacillus ligneresii'']]. The latter species also causes [[Actinobacillosis - Cattle|wooden tongue in cattle]].  

''A.suis'' can infect all ages of pigs and it is thought that incidence of the disease is increasing, especially in North American high-health-status herds.

''A.suis'' can infect all ages of pigs and it is thought that incidence of the disease is increasing, especially in North American high-health-status herds.

Wild hosts include anatidae (ducks, geese and swans) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Coypu] but A.suis can also affect domestic species including pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, zebu, dogs, cats and tentive links to equine disease have been recorded (although this is thought to be be an A.suis-like microorganism rather than A.suis itself). A.suis is not considered to be a zoonosis,but there is a report of a human infection after a pig bite (Escande et al., 1996).  

Wild hosts include anatidae (ducks, geese and swans) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Coypu] but A.suis can also affect domestic species including pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, zebu, dogs, cats and tentive links to equine disease have been recorded (although this is thought to be be an A.suis-like microorganism rather than A.suis itself). A.suis is not considered to be a zoonosis,but there is a report of a 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>.

 

A.suis causes  A.suis causes pneumonia like symptoms and localised infections in neonatal calf, airsaculitis in waterfowl, and polyarthritis in alpacas and, to septicaemia, acute haemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia in horses.  

==Epidemiology==

==Epidemiology==