Latent class analysis identifies multimorbidity patterns in pigs with respiratory disease

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Respiratory disease is a major economic concern in the global pig industry.
• The pig subsector is a significant part of the Philippines' livestock economy.
• Understanding thoracic lesion prevalence is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of thoracic lesions in slaughter-age pigs in Batangas and Albay, Philippines.
• To define respiratory health classes based on lesion patterns.
• To analyze the influence of province and farm type on lesion distribution.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 560 pigs from Batangas and Albay.
• Lung scoring for cranio-ventral pneumonia and pleurisy, with recording of pericarditis and focal dorso-caudal pneumonia.
• Latent class analysis incorporating lesion indicators, province, and farm type as covariates.

Main Results:

• High lung scores (≥7) were prevalent in 51.9% of pigs in Batangas and 13.7% in Albay.
• Pleurisy (≥1), pericarditis, and focal dorso-caudal pneumonia also showed higher prevalence in Batangas.
• Latent class analysis identified four health classes: 'healthy', 'mild respiratory disease', 'moderate pneumonia', and 'multi-lesion'.

Conclusions:

• Thoracic lesion prevalence and patterns differ significantly between Batangas and Albay, and by farm type.
• Pigs in Batangas, particularly from commercial farms, exhibited a higher prevalence of 'multi-lesion' respiratory disease.
• Targeted interventions in high-prevalence areas and further risk factor research are recommended for effective control measures.