Histopathological characterisation of omphalitis in piglets

Antibiotic treatment of piglets after birth is commonly carried out due to concern for development of omphalitis leading to umbilical outpouchings and/or systemic infections. Among others, the portal of entry for bacterial infections includes the umbilical cord at birth. The aim was to characterise the histological and bacteriological pattern of manifestations in the umbilicus of piglets with omphalitis that died during the suckling period in a Danish herd.

A total of 37 piglets found dead or euthanised due to sickness before weaning were included. Histopathological omphalitis was diagnosed in 13 of these piglets, and umbilical lesions and bacteria were most often observed in association with the umbilical blood vessels. Neutrophilic granulocyte infiltrations were observed in association with both umbilical arteries and the vein, occurring most frequently in the arteries. Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes were the most commonly isolated bacteria from piglets with histopathological omphalitis.

Omphalitis in piglets was characterized by inflammation and presence of bacteria in the umbilical arteries and to a lesser extent the umbilical vein. Inflammation in urachus was not present.