Monitoring the prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis IgG antibodies using serial sampling in growing and breeding swine herds

Thomas A. Marsteller, Greg Armbruster, David P. Bane, Connie J. Gebhart, Roger Muller, Jane Weatherford, Brad Thacker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis and the time of seroconversion in growing and breeding swine herds using the immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). Methods: Blood was collected from individually identified growing pigs in 16 herds at weaning (approximately 3 weeks of age) and in those herds, plus four others, at 3-week intervals until market weight (total 20 herds). Blood was collected from individually identified breeding animals (replacement gilts) at entry into nine breeding herds and then at 3-week intervals. Samples were tested at a dilution of 1:30 using the IPMA, which identifies IgG antibodies. Results: Fifteen of twenty growing herds (75%) were seropositive for L intracellularis at some time between weaning and 24 weeks of age. Within-herd seroprevalence in positive growing herds ranged from 11 to 92% and peaked near marketing (18 to 24 weeks of age). Seven of nine breeding herds (78%) were seropositive. Within-herd seroprevalence in breeding herds ranged from 5 to 61% and peaked near the time of herd entry and again late in the study. Implications: As L intracellularis IgG serum antibodies were short-lived in this study, serial blood sampling at intervals of 3 weeks or less may prove useful in determining L intracellularis serological status in a swine production system. On the basis of these results, blood samples to detect exposure to L intracellularis should be collected from growing swine at 18 to 24 weeks of age, and from replacement gilts at entry into the breeding herd and at first lactation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)127-130
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Swine Health and Production
Volume11
Issue number3
StatePublished - May 2003

Keywords

  • Immunoperoxidase monolayer assay
  • Lawsonia intracellularis
  • Porcine proliferative enteritis
  • Serology
  • Swine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Monitoring the prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis IgG antibodies using serial sampling in growing and breeding swine herds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this