Streptococcal infection as a cause of reproductive tract problems of swine

Abstract

This study determined that streptococci were the etiological agents responsible for a high percentage of breeding sows experiencing infertility and abortions. No isolations of virus were obtained from fetuses, or placentae. There was no positive serology obtained from sows that aborted when tested for evidence of virus, leptospira, brucella, and eperythrozoon antibodies. Streptococci were the predominant isolates obtained from the genito-urinary tract of sows and boars. Cultures were taken from 75 sows and 46 (61%) yielded hemolytic streptococci; 27 of these streptococci belonged to a specific serogroup. Of the 75 sows studied, 46 were infected, and of these, nine aborted, 14 were infertile, and 23 farrowed normally. There was a significantly ( P < 0.02) higher number of sows that had abortions or were infertile in the infected group. A random sample of 18 sows given penicilin therapy indicated a significant benefit from treatment ( P < 0.02) in the reproductive performance of infected animals. Twelve out of 16 boars yielded hemolytic streptococci with seven isolated being of a specific serogroup. The percentage distribution of all streptococci isolates belonging to a specific serogroup was 63.4% group C, 22% group D, and 7.3% each fooup A and G.