Evaluation of an induced Pasteurella multocida swine pneumonia model

A reproducible swine pneumonia model was developed, utilizing Pasteurella multocida (strain MSU 7) and a rapid endotracheal inoculating technique. The model provided a means of testing various factors, such as therapeutic agents that may influence the course of pulmonary pasteurellosis. In a series of experiments, 81 infected nonmedicated pigs had a morbidity of 96% and a mortality of 22%. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from 62% of the lungs at necropsy; 86% of the lungs had gross lesions characteristic for strain MSU 7 pneumonic pasteurellosis when the pigs were necropsied 7 days after inoculation.