Abstract
BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTI) of sows characterized by cystitis, which may progress to ureteritis and pyelonephritis, can affect their productivity, longevity and welfare. In this study, we determined the prevalence of UTI by histopathology and bacteriology. Furthermore, we investigated possible associations between histologically confirmed cystitis and the results of urinalysis and urine cultures in culled sows from three farrow-to-finish herds in Greece.Materials and methodsOne hundred eighty-five routinely culled sows were included in the study. Their urinary bladder was collected from abattoirs and subjected to histopathology. Furthermore, urinalysis and urine cultures were performed on urine samples aseptically collected from the bladders.ResultsHistologically confirmed cystitis was evident in 85/185 (45.94%) culled sows. Among those, 44 (51.76%) suffered from acute and 41 (48.24%) from chronic inflammation. The majority of positive urine cultures were due to colonization of the urinary tract with E.coli, which accounted for 55.81% of the total cases, followed by Staphylococcus spp. which accounted for 18.60% of detected infections. Evidence of cystitis was associated with bacteriuria and sows with bacteriuria were 2.30 (P = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.10–4.83) times more likely to have histologically confirmed cystitis compared to sows with negative urine cultures. Bacteriuria was associated with proteinuria (P < 0.01, OR = 9.72, 2.63–35.88), increased urine pH (P < 0.01, 3.40, 1.10–10.56) and presence of sediment (P < 0.01, 6.00, 1.50–23.76) in urine. Sows with proteinuria had 9.72 (P < 0.01, 2.63–35.88) times higher odds of bacteriuria than those without. Histologically defined cystitis was associated with proteinuria (P < 0.01, 2.03–13.20) and decreased urine pH (P < 0.01, 0.13–0.72). Sows with proteinuria were 5.18 (P < 0.01, 2.03–13.2) times more likely to have histological lesions consistent with cystitis, than those without. For one unit increase in pH, it was 3.20 (P = 0.006, 1.39–7.69) times less likely for a sow to have chronic or acute cystitis compared to absence of cystitis.ConclusionIn the studied population, UTI affected almost one out of two culled sows. Bacteriuria, which was more common among sows with UTI than those without, was mainly ascribed to members of the intestinal and environmental bacteria. Proteinuria and the existence of urine sediment which were associated with UTI, could be used as proxy traits for UTI in live sows.
Highlights
Urinary tract infections (UTI) of sows, characterized by cystitis that may progress to ureteritis and pyelonephritis, are major health and welfare issues with economic impact to the swine industry because of sudden death, partly attributed to pyelonephritis and septicemia [1], or suboptimal reproductive performance [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
The majority of positive urine cultures were due to colonization of the urinary tract with E.coli, which accounted for 55.81% of the total cases, followed by Staphylococcus spp. which accounted for 18.60% of detected infections
Evidence of cystitis was associated with bacteriuria and sows with bacteriuria were 2.30 (P = 0.03, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.10–4.83) times more likely to have histologically confirmed cystitis compared to sows with negative urine cultures
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) of sows, characterized by cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) that may progress to ureteritis (inflammation of the ureters) and pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis), are major health and welfare issues with economic impact to the swine industry because of sudden death, partly attributed to pyelonephritis and septicemia [1], or suboptimal reproductive performance [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. The prevalence of UTI which was estimated in live sows [13,14,15,16] as well as at abattoirs [3, 12, 17], by either reagent strip tests, urine culture or histopathology, vary considerably from 15.8 [15] to 58% [16]. The reagent strip tests which have been applied in some of the on-farm studies are ineffective, especially in the diagnosis of chronic UTI [12], underestimating UTI prevalence. Urinary tract infections (UTI) of sows characterized by cystitis, which may progress to ureteritis and pyelonephritis, can affect their productivity, longevity and welfare.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have