Diagnostic investigations of toxoplasmosis in four swine herds.

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During October 1994, there were 4 outbreaks of disease with mortality in different pig herds in 2 different provinces respectively of Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna regions (North Italy). All animals present in these herds were ‘‘fattening pigs,’’ i.e., they were reared for slaughtering at the weight of 180 kg. The 4 pig farms were all located in the Po Valley (North Italy) in an area within a 60-km radius in the provinces of Mantova (Lombardia region, Italy) and Modena (Emilia Romagna region, Italy). The pigs in the 4 outbreaks had identical clinical signs and lesions, and all outbreaks lasted 10–15 days. Clinical signs were observed mainly in swine from 60 to 180 kg body weight. Affected pigs had a temperature of .41 C for 1–2 days while behaving normally but then gradually lost appetite and became depressed. Recumbency and prostration were evident until death, which usually occurred 2–4 days after the onset of clinical signs. Cutaneous cyanosis occurred predominantly on the ears, snout, neck, and ventral abdomen. Serohemorrhagic fluid was exuded from the nostrils. The morbidity was high (50–60%), and mortality ranged from 10% to 42%. In spite of the use of systemic therapy with antibiotics and antiinflammatory drugs, no clinical improvement was noted at any of the farms. The 4 farms were different sizes and management type and used different feed suppliers. Outbreak No. 1 was reported on October 7, 1994. The farm was located in the Mantova province (Lombardia region, Italy) and was isolated from other pig farms. It consisted of 2 separated pens. Pigs were fed moist feed mixed with whey, which was placed directly on the floor. Water supply was from a private well. Two dogs and several cats were also present on the farm. A program of rodent control was periodically applied. The management and hygenic conditions were sufficient. Twelve hundred pigs were housed in the first pen. Mature sows and piglets weighing ,70 kg were present. There were 800 fattening pigs weighing from 70 to 180 kg in the second pen. No new pigs had been introduced for 4 months prior to the occurrence of disease. Clinical signs appeared only in the second shed, and morbidity was high (60%). One hundred six animals (13.2%) died in the first week, and about 200 animals (25%) died during a 15-day period.