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A case of pericarditis caused by Mycoplasma hyorhinis in a weaned piglet
Martina Ustulin1, Erica Rossi2, Denis Vio3
1Peripheral Diagnostic Laboratory of Pordenone, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Cordenons, PN, Italy. mustulin@izsvenezie.it.
Background:
Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M. hyorhinis) is a bacterium commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs and an agent of polyserositis and polyarthritis. Moreover, it can carry antibiotic resistance genes (Wu et al, Vet. Microbiol. 76: 25-30, 2000). Economic losses caused by M. hyorhinis can be reduced by antibiotic therapy, however, isolation and antimicrobic susceptibility profile are rarely performed.
Case Presentation:
The present report describes a case of pericarditis caused by M. hyorhinis in a weaned piglet with respiratory symptoms and reduced growth performance. At post mortem examination, the main macroscopic finding was a severe fibrinous pericarditis and M. hyorhins was the only agent isolated from the pericardial fluid. In this strain, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination revealed resistance to various antimicrobial molecules such as erythromycin, tylosin and tilmicosin.
Conclusion:
This paper highlights the importance of including M. hyorhins in the differential diagnosis of polyserositis in swine. Moreover, due the possible presence of multidrug resistance, the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern should be performed on a regular basis.
Insights
Mycoplasma hyorhinis causes serious illness in pigs, including pericarditis. Regular antimicrobial susceptibility testing is crucial due to potential multidrug resistance in M. hyorhinis strains.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Swine Pathology
Background:
- Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a common swine bacterium.
- It causes polyserositis and polyarthritis, leading to economic losses.
- M. hyorhinis can harbor antibiotic resistance genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of M. hyorhinis-induced pericarditis in a weaned piglet.
- To highlight the importance of M. hyorhinis in swine differential diagnoses.
- To emphasize the need for antimicrobial susceptibility profiling.
Main Methods:
- Case study of a weaned piglet with respiratory symptoms and poor growth.
- Post-mortem examination revealing severe fibrinous pericarditis.
- Isolation of M. hyorhinis from pericardial fluid and MIC determination.
Main Results:
- M. hyorhinis was the sole agent isolated from pericardial fluid.
- The isolated strain exhibited resistance to erythromycin, tylosin, and tilmicosin.
- The piglet presented with respiratory signs and reduced growth.
Conclusions:
- M. hyorhinis should be considered in swine polyserositis diagnoses.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is recommended due to potential multidrug resistance.
- Regular susceptibility profiling aids effective antibiotic therapy.
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