Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae ( M. hyo. ) is a bacterial respiratory pathogen that causes Enzootic Pneumonia in pigs. Even though M. hyo. is rapidly inactivated in the environment and by disinfectants, it can survive for quite some time in cool and wet environments.
The organism is generally endemic in swine herds and at that status, the clinical signs are typically mild. Production losses are mostly seen through slowed growth rates. Infection of naïve animals, however, will be characterized by much more severe clinical signs, higher mortality and more significant production losses.
Additionally, the presence of M. hyo. will greatly enhance the negative effects of other respiratory infections like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV), Swine Influenza Virus (SIV), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), or Pasteurella, resulting in a much more pronounced overall disease severity.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect the presence of the bacteria in nasal swabs and oral fluid samples. PCR is a fast and accurate method of testing for the presence of pathogens in an individual animal or a pen-based sample. General turnaround time is next day, after the sample has been received in the laboratory.
Both the direct pathogen detection by PCR and the antibody detection by ELISA are efficient tools to work towards the goal for high-health herds to eliminate M. hyo. from the herd and, through a surveillance program, monitor for re-introduction.
