[Atrophic rhinitis of swine--a multifactorial disease?]

Atrophic rhinitis is caused by toxigenic Pasteurella multocida strains. The infection is supported by Bordetella bronchiseptica and other widespread agents and by non-infectious factors damaging the nasal epithelium. The term "infectious multifactorial disease" means in German, that ubiquitous low-virulent agents cause disease when intensified by non-infectious factors. Atrophic rhinitis does not belong to this group but is an infectious disease, caused by a specific agent and influenced by several factors.