[Pyelocystitis in breeding sows]

Pyelocystitis results from ascending infection of the urinary tract with Corynebacterium suis in sows. Infection occurs regularly during coitus by healthy boars, which are often contaminated with Corynebacterium suis. Characteristic clinical signs of pyelocystitis are haematuria, anemia and emaciation. The whole urinary tract shows severe purulent-necrotic inflammation with progressive vascular lesions. Diagnosis is based on clinical, pathological and bacteriological findings. Distinct changes in urine samples are present. Treatment is only successful in sows with intact function of kidneys. In early detected cases treatment can be effective with repeated application of appropriate antibiotics, e.g. penicillin or ampicillin. There are no proven methods of prevention.