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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 causes [[Actinobacillosis - Pig| '''actinobacillosis in pigs''']], and has been linked to septicaemia, acute haemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia in horses, airsaculitis in waterfowl, neonatal calf pneumonia and localised infections and polyarthritis in alpacas. [[Actinobacillus equuli| horses]],[[Actinobacillosis - Cattle| cattle]] and can infect [[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 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'' have genes that encode toxins similar to apxI and apxII of [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']], but they are less virulent.  Once an animal is infected with ''A.suis'' it can provide partial '''cross protection against ''A. pleuropneumoniae'''''.  

 

''A.suis'' have genes that encode toxins similar to apxI and apxII of [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae| ''A. pleuropneumoniae'']], but they are less virulent.  Once an animal is infected with ''A.suis'' it can provide partial '''cross protection against ''A. pleuropneumoniae'''''. A.suis strains are able to resist bile and serum.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

''A.Suis'' can be found in the tonsils and upper respiratory tract of both healthy and diseased animals, and isolates are genetically and biochemically similar.  It is believed to be spread via '''aerososl infection''' and '''invasion of the upper respiratory tract'''.  The incidence of the disease is increasing, especially in  

''A.Suis'' can be found in the tonsils and upper respiratory tract of both healthy and diseased pigs, and isolates are genetically and biochemically similar.  It is believed to be spread via '''aerososl infection''' and '''invasion of the upper respiratory tract'''.  The 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, [[Actinobacillus equuli| horses]], [[Actinobacillosis - Cattle| cattle]], sheep, goats, alpacas, zebu, dogs, and cats.  

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).

   

   

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==