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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
07:16
Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds
Published on: June 16, 2023
[Swinepox--skin disease with sporadic occurrence]
L Moorkamp1, A Beineke, U Kaim
1Aussenstelle für Epidemiologie der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
DTW. Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift
|May 27, 2008
Summary
Swinepox virus can cause congenital infections in piglets, leading to stillbirth or death shortly after birth. Definitive diagnosis requires advanced techniques beyond initial skin lesion observation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Pathology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Swinepox virus typically causes mild skin lesions in pigs.
- Vertical transmission can result in severe congenital infections, including abortion or stillbirth.
Observation:
- This report details two piglets with intrauterine swinepox virus infection, presenting with epidermal efflorescences.
- One piglet was stillborn; the other died three days post-birth.
Findings:
- Histopathology revealed proliferative, ulcerative dermatitis with ballooning degeneration and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies.
- Electron microscopy and PCR confirmed the causative agent as suipoxvirus.
- Macroscopic skin lesions suggested poxvirus infection, but advanced diagnostics were crucial for confirmation.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of swinepox virus is vital for herd health monitoring and farmer advisement.
- While this outbreak had minimal economic impact, understanding congenital transmission is important for disease control.
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