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Also known as: '''''Actinobacillosis — Actinobacillus suis septicaemia in pigs — A. equuli in swine — Otitis media, externa, interna, middle and inner ear infections'''''
==Introduction==
Actinobacillosis is caused by the '''bacterium''' [[Actinobacillus suis|'''''Actinobacillus suis''''']]. The disease affects suckling, weanling and fattening pigs, and adult pigs and it is thought that it colonises piglets within the first three weeks of life.
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==
'''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 '''exacerbated 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 vary from fever, lethargy, depression, [[Erysipelas - Pig#Clinical Signs|'''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, '''tremors''', 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==
[[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]]'', 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 organs.
'''Differential diagnoses''': [[Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae|''A. pleuropneumoniae'']], [[Erysipelas - Pig|Erysipelas]], [[Glasser's Disease|Glasser’s disease]], [[Streptococcus suis|''Streptococcus suis'']], and [[Mulberry Heart Disease|Mulberry heart disease]].
==Treatment==
''A.suis'' has '''good sensitivity''' to '''ceftioufur, gentamicin''' and '''trimethoprim/sulfadiazine''', and moderate sensitivity to ampicillin, neomycin, sulfadimethoxine and tiamulin. Culture and sensitivity is recommended.
==Control==
'''Routine biosecurity''' and '''disinfection''' should be followed and maintained. At present there is no commercial vaccine for ''A. suis'' <ref>Radostitis, O.M., Gay, C.C., Hinchcliff, K.W., and Constable, P.D. (2007) '''Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats (10th Edition)'''. ''Saunders'', 1052-1053</ref> but there is evidence that autogenous vaccines in a herd could help stabilise antibody levels in the whole population <ref>Lapointe, L., D'Allaire, S., Lacouture, S., Gottschalk, M. (2001) '''Serologic profile of a cohort of pigs and antibody response to an autogenous vaccine for ''Actinobacillus suis'''''. ''Veterinary Research'', 32(2):175-183; 18 ref</ref>.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Actinobacillosis - Pig Flashcards|Actinobacillosis - Pig Flashcards]]
}}
==References==
<references/>
{{CABI source
|datasheet = [http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/?compid=3&dsid=95736&loadmodule=datasheet&page=2144&site=160 Actinobacillus suis infection]
|date = August 08, 2011
}}
<br><br><br>
{{Andrew Rycroft
|date = December 22, 2011}}
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[[Category:Neurological Diseases - Pig]]
[[Category:Cardiovascular Diseases - Pig]]
[[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Pig]]
[[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Pig]]
[[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Pig]]
[[Category:CABI Expert Review Completed]][[Category:CABI AHPC Pages]]
[[Category:Cardiology Section]]