Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in pigs: a review

Haemophilus (Actinobacillus) pleuropneumoniae is a primary and specific pathogen of the respiratory tract and is an economically important pathogen of pigs. The disease is starting to cause peracute deaths in South Africa and the chronic form leads to deteriorating heard performance. This review highlights various aspects of the taxonomic, antigenic, and drug sensitivity characteristics of the bacterium and the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, serology and immunology, detection and diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prevention and control of the disease.