Abstract Efficient, high-quality production is essential to the swine industry, with carcass inspection by health authorities playing a crucial role in detecting abnormalities that may lead to condemnation, including enteritis. Enteritis is, usually, characterized by changes in color, mucosal integrity, intestinal wall thickness and luminal contents and has a multifactorial etiology. This study assessed and classified visual lesions attributed to enteritis and to seek for associations with known pathogens. A scoring system was applied to classify visual changes, and 30 condemned intestines were categorized as mild ( 20 points). Laboratory analyses included histopathology; isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.; and molecular detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), Lawsonia intracellularis , Brachyspira pilosicoli , and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae . Lesions were classified as mild (23%), moderate (57%), and severe (20%). PCV2 and L. intracellularis DNA were detected in 60% and 23% of samples, respectively. E. coli was isolated from 57% of intestines, of which 87% exhibited antimicrobial resistance and 56% were multidrug-resistant. No samples tested positive for Salmonella spp., B. pilosicoli , or B. hyodysenteriae . Lower condemnation scores were associated with the presence of PCV2 DNA, mild lesions, and lymph nodes showing necrosis and follicular depletion. Mild lesions were also associated with a lower frequency of multidrug-resistant E. coli . The high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance is concerning from a One Health perspective. These findings underscore the importance of pathogen monitoring, antimicrobial stewardship, and strong animal welfare practices within the swine production chain.
Neis et al. (Mon,) studied this question.