Pathogenicity of Haemophilus parasuis serovars 4 and 5 in contact-exposed pigs

The pathogenicities of Haemophilus parasuis strains SW124 (serovar 4) and Nagasaki (serovar 5) were examined by contact-exposure of specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs. Ten pigs were divided into three groups. Two of four pigs in the first group were inoculated intranasally (IN) with 2 x 10(8) CFU of strain SW124, and the other two pigs were mingled with these IN-exposed ones. All the four pigs were subclinically infected in this group. The four pigs of the second group were likewise exposed to strain Nagasaki (two IN-inoculated pigs with 3 x 10(8) CFU of strain Nagasaki). All four pigs in this group died of Glässer's disease. Two pigs kept as controls showed neither abnormality nor positive H. parasuis isolation.