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Specific pathogen-free pig herds also free from Campylobacter?
E M Kolstoe1, T Iversen, Ø Østensvik
1Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Zoonoses and Public Health
|May 7, 2014
Summary
Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) pig herds may be free from Campylobacter coli. Four of ten SPF herds tested negative, suggesting herd-level intervention is possible, though control is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Zoonotic Disease Control
- Animal Health Management
Background:
- Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) pig herds are managed to exclude specific diseases.
- Previous studies indicated SPF herds were largely free from Yersinia enterocolitica, a zoonotic pathogen originating in pigs.
- The feasibility of extending SPF herd management to include other zoonotic agents like Campylobacter coli was unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter coli in Norwegian SPF pig herds.
- To determine if the Norwegian SPF pig pyramid could be free from Campylobacter.
- To assess the potential for controlling Campylobacter at the herd level within SPF systems.
Main Methods:
- Surveying three nucleus and seven multiplying SPF pig herds in Norway.
- Collecting and analyzing samples from herds in autumn 2008 and summer/early autumn 2010.
- Comparing the geographical proximity of positive and negative herds to conventional pig farming.
Main Results:
- Four out of ten surveyed SPF herds tested negative for Campylobacter coli in both sampling periods.
- SPF herds testing negative were located in remote areas, distant from conventional pig farming.
- Positive SPF herds were situated in proximity to conventional pig production.
Conclusions:
- Intervention against Campylobacter at the herd level within SPF systems appears feasible.
- Geographical isolation from conventional farming may be a key factor in achieving Campylobacter-free status.
- Controlling Campylobacter in pig herds presents greater challenges than managing certain other specific animal disease agents and Yersinia enterocolitica.
