Glasser's Disease

Description

Glassers disease is caused by the bacteria ... It is an acute systemic condition characterised by polyserositis, arthritis and meningitis. It is rapidly fatal in the acute form, in some cases animals die before the development of the lesions.

Signalment

The disease usually affects weanlings 6-10 weeks old when maternal antibodies wane but it can affect pigs of any age, particularly naive pigs introduced into a herd or through exposure to a strain to which there is little immunity.

The disease is endemic in most herds and has been associated with PRRS, Circovirus and Swine Influenza.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

• Pyrexia
• Dyspneoa with abdominal effort
• Cough
• Swollen joints and arthritis
• CNS signs, Trembling and paddling
• Sudden death

References

• Caused by Haemophilus parasuis
• May cause suppurative bronchopneumonia and pleuritis (as part of polyserositis)
• Stress of mixing, weaning and adverse environmental conditions are predisposing to the disease
• Glasser's disease
  • Septicaemia
  • Acute inflammation affecting pleua, peritoneum, mediastinum, pericardium, joints and meninges
  • Causes a polyserositis - pericarditis, peritonitis, pleurisy and meningitis - in pigs 3-10 weeks old
  • Also causes suppurative bronchopneumonia, pleuritis, polyarthritis (also H. suis)
  • Expressed lesions vary between animals - meningitis is most consistent, arthritis in 20% of cases
  • Fever, general malaise, repsiratory and abdominal signs, lameness, paralysis or convulsions
  • Sporadic outbreaks in the UK
  • Morbidity and mortality often low due to widespread acquired resistance
  • Mortality up to 50% in some outbreaks e.g. specific pathogen-free herds
  • Can be fatal in 2-5 days
  • Chronic arthritis, meningitis and intestinal obstruction due to adhesions in some surviving pigs
  • Due to transport, environmental stresses, dietary and managemental factors
• Fibrinous pneumonia secondary to enzootic pneumonia or virus infection e.g. swine influenza

Also known as:

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