Outbreak of peracute Glässer’s disease in suckling piglets in a self-recruiting high health farrow to grower herd: A Case report

Background: Glässer’s disease is caused by a bacterial infection where the causative agent is Glaesserella parasuis and is of rising concern in Norwegian high health pig herds. Different factors can trigger the onset of Glässer’s disease, including management practices such as unstable room temperature, poor ventilation or impaired immunity. Outbreaks of peracute Glässer’s disease in suckling piglets are rarely described. Case presentation In a high health, farrow to grower pig herd 270 suckling piglets out of 920 died in a peracute to acute manner during a 20-day period. Post-mortem examinations revealed findings consistent with congestion and oedema and histopathological examination found no signs of inflammation or intravascular microthrombi. Bacteriological examination detected G. parasuis in relevant tissues. Emesis in half of the piglets and central nervous signs in a few was found after first intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin. Anaemia, poor temperature regulation in the farrowing unit and poor hygiene were factors contributing to the disease outbreak. Conclusions: In the present case, it was concluded that an outbreak with high mortality and predominantly peracute to acute clinical disease in 3-5 week old suckling piglets was caused by Glässer’s disease ( G. parasuis) .