Abstract:

Treatment and control of porcine proliferative enteropathy using different tiamulin delivery methods

Don Walter, DVM; Jeff Knittel, PhD; Kent Schwartz, DVM, MS; Jeremy Kroll, BS; Mike Roof, PhD

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Objective: To determine the clinical and pathological effects when pigs infected with Lawsonia intracellularis and showing clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease are treated with tiamulin hydrogen fumarate (THF) administered in feed or water.

Methods: All pigs in Study 1 (47 pigs) and Study 2 (48 pigs) were inoculated with a virulent pure culture of L intracellularis. After clinical signs became apparent, treated pigs were medicated for 28 days with THF administered in the feed at 35 g per ton (Study 1), or for 5 days with THF administered in the drinking water at 60 mg per liter (Study 2). Necropsies were performed on remaining control and treated pigs in Study 1 on Day 37 post-inoculation, and in Study 2 on Day 23 post-inoculation.

Results: Medication in the feed or water significantly reduced development of gross and microscopic lesions, severity of clinical signs, and prevalence of fecal shedding of L intracellularis in treated pigs. Feed treatment with THF (2.0 mg per kg daily) had no effect on seroconversion, whereas water treatment (7.3 mg per kg daily) significantly reduced prevalence of seroconversion against L intracellularis.

Implications: Tiamulin hydrogen fumarate in the feed (35 g per ton) or water (60 mg per liter) was effective in treating and controlling PPE. Timing of medication relative to time of infection with Lintracellularis may affect the immune response (seroconversion), fecal shedding, and development of lesions. Antibiotic dosage may also affect the immune response to L intracellularis infection, and may reduce fecal shedding, interfering with polymerase chain reaction tests for Lintracellularis.

Keywords: proliferative enteropathy, Lawsonia intracellularis, tiamulin


RIS citationCite as: Walter D, Knittel J, Schwartz K, et al. Treatment and control of porcine proliferative enteropathy using different tiamulin delivery methods. J Swine Health Prod 2001;9(3):109-113.

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