Control of Yersinia enterocolitica in pigs at herd level

• Published in: International journal of food microbiology 1998-12, Vol.45 (3), p.195-203
• Main Authors: Skjerve, Eystein, Lium, Bjørn, Nielsen, Bent, Nesbakken, Truls
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABATTAGE D'ANIMAUX; Abattoirs - statistics & numerical data; Animal Husbandry - methods; Animal productions; Animals; ANTIBODIES; ANTICORPS; ANTICUERPOS; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION; CANAL ANIMAL; CARCASSE; CARCASSES; Cats; CERDO; CONTAMINACION BIOLOGICA; CONTAMINATION BIOLOGIQUE; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; EPIDEMIOLOGIA; EPIDEMIOLOGIE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microbiology; Multivariate analyses; NORUEGA; NORVEGE; NORWAY; Norway - epidemiology; Pig husbandry; PORCIN; Prevalence; RIESGO; RISK; Risk Factors; RISQUE; SACRIFICIO; SLAUGHTERING; SWINE; Swine Diseases - epidemiology; Swine Diseases - prevention & control; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates; YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA; Yersinia enterocolitica - isolation & purification; Yersinia Infections - epidemiology; Yersinia Infections - prevention & control; Yersinia Infections - veterinary
• ISSN: 0168-1605; 1879-3460
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1605(98)00162-7

A higher herd prevalence of antibodies (ELISA) to Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 was found in conventional slaughter production (86.0% seropositive herds) than in conventional farrow-to-finish herds (53.1% seropositive herds). The herd prevalence of antibodies to Y. enterocolitica in multiplying herds (56.1%) was similar to the level in the conventional farrow-to-finish herds. An epidemiological study in conventional pig herds demonstrated that farrow-to-finish production (odds ratio, OR=0.15) was an important protective factor. Using under-pressure ventilation (OR=0.33) and manual feeding of slaughter pigs (OR=0.44) also lowered the herd prevalence. The most expressed risk factor was using an own farm vehicle for transport of slaughter pigs to abattoirs (OR=12.92). Separation between clean and unclean section in herds (OR=2.67), daily observations of a cat with kittens on the farm (OR=2.41) and using straw bedding for slaughter pigs (OR=2.25) were other factors that increased the risk. In conclusion, the epidemiological data suggest that it is possible to reduce the herd prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 by minimising contact between infected herds and non-infected herds. Further, attempts to reduce the prevalence at the top levels of the breeding pyramids may be beneficial for the industry as a whole. The meat industry may use serological tests as a tool to lower the prevalence in the pig population by limiting the contact between seropositive and seronegative herds. However, because of the high prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in pig herds, a strict slaughter hygiene will remain an important means to reduce carcass contamination with Y. enterocolitica O:3 as well as other pathogenic micro-organisms.