Glasser's Disease

Description

Glasser's disease is caused by the bacteria Haemophilus parasuis. It is a systemic condition affecting pigs characterised by polyserositis, arthritis and meningitis. It is rapidly fatal in the acute form, in some cases animals die before the development of 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 occurs worldwide, it is endemic in most herds but incidence of clinical disease in the UK is sporadic due to widespread acquired resistance. Increased prevelance hgas been associated with PRRS, Circovirus and Swine Influenza. Mortality is high when there is no immunity, for example outbreaks in specific pathogen-free herds.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

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

Clinical signs develop rapidly, the disease is often fatal within 2-5 days. The skin becomes discoloured, turning red to blue before death. Expressed lesions vary between animals - meningitis is most consistent, arthritis in 20% of cases

Survivors or those affected by the chronic form of the disease become lame with arthritis, develop congestive heart failure, pericarditis or intestinal obstruction due to formation of adhesions.

References

• May cause suppurative bronchopneumonia and pleuritis (as part of polyserositis)
• Stress of mixing, weaning and adverse environmental conditions are predisposing to the disease

• • Septicaemia
  • Acute inflammation affecting pleura, peritoneum, mediastinum, pericardium, joints and meninges
  • Causes a polyserositis - pericarditis, peritonitis, pleurisy and meningitis
  • Also causes suppurative bronchopneumonia, pleuritis, polyarthritis (also H. suis)

• • Fever, general malaise, repsiratory and abdominal signs, lameness, paralysis or convulsions.

• • 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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