Histopathological characterisation of omphalitis in piglets

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Swine Health
• Bacteriology

Background:

• Omphalitis is a common concern in neonatal piglets, potentially leading to systemic infections.
• The umbilical cord serves as a primary portal for bacterial entry in newborn piglets.
• Understanding omphalitis patterns is crucial for effective antibiotic treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the histological and bacteriological findings in the umbilical cords of piglets with omphalitis.
• To identify common bacterial pathogens associated with omphalitis in a Danish swine herd.
• To investigate the specific locations of inflammation and bacterial presence within the umbilical structures.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of umbilical tissues from 37 piglets that died or were euthanized before weaning.
• Bacteriological culture to identify microorganisms present in the umbilical lesions.
• Correlation of histological findings with bacterial isolates.

Main Results:

• Histopathological omphalitis was diagnosed in 13 out of 37 piglets.
• Umbilical lesions and bacteria were most frequently associated with umbilical blood vessels, particularly the arteries.
• Commonly isolated bacteria included Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes.

Conclusions:

• Omphalitis in piglets is characterized by inflammation and bacterial presence within the umbilical arteries and, to a lesser extent, the umbilical vein.
• Inflammation was not observed in the urachus.
• Findings highlight the importance of the umbilical vasculature as a site for omphalitis development.