Comparative hematological and pathological study of inoculated pigs with a field isolate and an ATCC serotype 5 of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Abstract

An experimental inoculation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) was carried out with a field isolate and an ATCC serotype 5. Three groups of 15 pigs each were used. Group 1 (G1) was the control group inoculated with sterile media, Group 2 was inoculated with the serotype 5 ATCC, and Group 3 (G3) was inoculated with a field isolate (418/07). The results showed statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the total leukocytes count between G1 v/s G2 and G1 v/s G3. The total macroscopic lung lesions scores were statistically different among the 3 groups (P ≤ 0.05). However, statistical difference was found only between G1 and G3 in the histopathological lung lesions (P ≤ 0.05). This work shows a clear difference in the hematological changes and the macroscopic and histopathological lesions between the serotype 5 ATCC and the field isolate. These facts suggest a higher virulence and pathogenicity of the national isolate. The serotypification of this App national isolate will be done in the near future.