CASE REPORT: THE EARLY ABORTION IN SOWS CAUSED BYE. RHUSIOPATHIAEFROM THE SEMEN

Abstract

This case report describes a mini-outbreak of early abortion in sows caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that is transmitted from the semen of an asymptomatic boar. Six sows that were all impregnated with the semen from the asymptomatic boar aborted at 25 days after fecundation. Three aborted embryos and the attached placentas were submitted for diagnostic investigation. The histopathology revealed edematous chorioallantoic membrane containing mononuclear cells with leukocytic debris in the vessel wall, accompanied with clumps of Gram-positive bacteria elsewhere in the chorioallantois. In situ hybridization revealed some positive signals of E. rhusiopathiae in the chorioallantois. The semen of the asymptomatic boar was cultured positive for E. rhusiopathiae. Taken all results together, it was concluded that the early abortion in sows was caused by the semen from the asymptomatic boar infected by E. rhusiopathiae.