Effect of parity segregation on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection dynamics and pneumonic lesions in pigs

ABSTRACT: Gilts represent a group risk for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vertical transmission in swine herds. Therefore, parity segregation can be an alternative to control M. hyopneumoniae infections. The study evaluated the effect of parity segregation on M. hyopneumoniae infection dynamics and occurrence and severity of lung lesions at slaughter. For that, three multiple site herds were included in the study. Herd A consisted of the farm where gilts would have their first farrowing (parity order (PO) 1). After the first farrowing PO 1 sows were transferred to herd B (PO2-6). Herd C was a conventional herd with gilt replacement (PO1-6). Piglets born in each herd were raised in separated nursery and finishing units. Sows (n = 33 (A), 37 (B), 34 (C)) in all herds were sampled prior to farrowing and piglets (n = 54 (A), 71 (B), 66 (C)) were sampled longitudinally at 21, 63, 100, 140 days of age and at slaughter for M. hyopneumoniae detection by PCR and lung lesions scoring. M. hyopneumoniae prevalence in sows did not differ among herds. Prevalence of positive piglets was higher at weaning in the PO1 herd (A) (P < 0.05). However, prevalence of positive pigs from 100 days of age to slaughter age was higher in the PO2-6 herd (B) (P < 0.05). Lung lesion occurrence and severity were higher in herd B. The authors suggested that the lack of a proper gilt acclimation might have influenced the results, leading to sows being detected positive at farrowing, regardless of the parity.

COVID-19 Pulmonary Pathology: The Experience of European Pulmonary Pathologists throughout the First Two Waves of the Pandemic

Autoptic studies of patients who died from COVID-19 constitute an important step forward in improving our knowledge in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Systematic analyses of lung tissue, the organ primarily targeted by the disease, were mostly performed during the first wave of the pandemic. Analyses of pathological lesions at different times offer a good opportunity to better understand the disease and how its evolution has been influenced mostly by new SARS-CoV-2 variants or the different therapeutic approaches. In this short report we summarize responses collected from a questionnaire survey that investigated important pathological data during the first two pandemic waves (spring-summer 2020; autumn-winter 2020–2021). The survey was submitted to expert lung pathologists from nine European countries involved in autoptic procedures in both pandemic waves. The frequency of each lung lesion was quite heterogeneous among the participants. However, a higher frequency of pulmonary superinfections, both bacterial and especially fungal, was observed in the second wave compared to the first. Obtaining a deeper knowledge of the pathological lesions at the basis of this complex and severe disease, which change over time, is crucial for correct patient management and treatment. Autoptic examination is a useful tool to achieve this goal.

Course and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases: Preliminary data from the NIIR/APP-COVID-19 registry and literature review

The materials of the Russian NIIR/ARP-COVID-19 database, which included adult (over 18 years old) patients with immuno-inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IIRD) who underwent COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), and a literature review concerning the course and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with these diseases, are presented. From July 17, 2020 to April 23, 2021, 156 messages were received and analyzed. The study group was represented mainly by women (75%). The average age of patients was 52.0±14.8 years, of which 53 (33.9%) patients were aged 60 years and older. The most frequent clinical manifestations of COVID-19 were fever (62.2%), cough (40.4%), anosmia (37.8%), shortness of breath (33.3%). During the course of COVID-19, computed tomography of the chest organs was performed in 143 patients. When assessed on an “empirical” visual scale, stage 0 of lung lesion was observed in 49 (34.3%) patients, stage 1 in 40 (28%), stage 2 in 35 (24.5%), stage 3 in 19 (13.2%), stage 4 in 0. In the study group, a favorable outcome was observed in 137 (97.9%) patients. Fatal outcome was registered in 3 patients. The effect of COVID-19 on the course of IIRD was assessed in 131 patients: in 52 (39.7%) patients, the course of IIRD worsened, in 1 (0.8%) it improved, in 78 (59.5%) there was no effect. Literature data on the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the course and outcomes of COVID-19 in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases are contradictory, which dictates the need to continue collecting data on the rheumatological problems of COVID-19 in the Russian patient population, taking into account international experience.

Is Lung Ultrasound Helpful in COVID-19 Neonates?—A Systematic Review

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infection has occurred in neonates, but it is a fact that radiation exposure is not recommended given their age. The aim of this review is to assess the evidence on the utility of lung ultrasound (LUS) in neonates diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed so as to find a number of published studies assessing the benefits of lung ultrasound for newborns diagnosed with COVID and, in the end, to make a comparison between LUS and the other two more conventional procedures of chest X-rays or CT exam. The key terms used in the search of several databases were: “lung ultrasound”, “sonography”, “newborn”, “neonate”, and “COVID-19′. Results: In total, 447 studies were eligible for this review, and after removing the duplicates, 123 studies referring to LU were further examined, but only 7 included cases of neonates. These studies were considered for the present research paper. Conclusions: As a non-invasive, easy-to-use, and reliable method for lung lesion detection in neonates with COVID-19, lung ultrasound can be used as a useful diagnosis tool for the evaluation of COVID-19-associated lung lesions. The benefits of this method in this pandemic period are likely to arouse interest in opening new research horizons, with immediate practical applicability.

New-onset haemoptysis and associated lung mass in the setting of dental care avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic

We present a case of new-onset haemoptysis and associated lung lesion on chest imaging in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was believed to be due to dental care avoidance after tooth fracture and long-term use of temporary dental filler, with subsequent aspiration and bronchial injury. Our patient underwent bronchoscopy due to persistent haemoptysis with findings of mild traumatic injury. She responded to conservative management with no pharmacologic intervention. With time, there was resolution of symptoms and radiographic improvement of the lung lesion. We include a brief discussion on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare avoidance, complications of tooth fracture and the differential diagnosis of a new solitary lung lesion on chest imaging.

Pleural Effusion Caused by Mycolicibacterium mageritense in an Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report

Mycolicibacterium mageritense (M. mageritense) is a rare species among rapidly growing mycobacteria, and M. mageritense pleurisy is very rare. Here, we report for the first time, an immunocompetent patient with pleurisy caused by M. mageritense. The patient had no history of immunodeficiency and no recurrence of lung cancer after surgery. However, 8 months after surgery, he developed a new lung shadow and pleurisy. Although whole-genome analysis of the colony cultured from the patient's pleural fluid revealed M. mageritense, we could not identify it in time, resulting in a poor outcome. M. mageritense pleurisy in this case might have occurred via a bulla rupture of the lung lesion because computed tomography of the patient's chest showed pneumothorax and a lung lesion in contact with thoracic cavity. This case emphasized that nontuberculous mycobacterial pleurisy should be considered in the differential diagnoses of pleural effusion even in immunocompetent patients. Advancement of comprehensive and rapid analyses of genomic data from clinical specimens will lead to better treatment strategies.

Animal-Based Factors Prior to Infection Predict Histological Disease Outcome in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus- and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae-Infected Pigs

A large variety of clinical manifestation in individual pigs occurs after infection with pathogens involved in porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Some pigs are less prone to develop respiratory disease symptoms. The variation in clinical impact after infection and the recovery capacity of an individual animal are measures of its resilience. In this paper, we examined which ones of a range of animal-based factors (rectal temperature, body weight, skin lesion scores, behavior, natural antibody serum levels, serum levels of white blood cells, and type of T and granulocyte subsets) when measured prior to infection are related to disease severity. These animal-based factors and the interaction with housing regimen of the piglets (conventional or enriched) were modeled using linear regression to predict disease severity using a dataset acquired from a previous study using a well-established experimental coinfection model of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Both PRRSV and A. pleuropneumoniae are often involved in PRDC. Histological lung lesion score of each animal was used as a measure for PRDC severity after infection. Prior to infection, higher serum levels of lymphocytes (CD3+), naïve T helper (CD3+CD4+CD8−), CD8+ (as well as higher relative levels of CD8+), and memory T helper (CD3+CD4+CD8+) cells and higher relative levels of granulocytes (CD172a) were related to reduced disease severity in both housing systems. Raised serum concentrations of natural IgM antibodies binding to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were also related to reduced disease severity after infection. Increased levels of skin lesions at the central body part (after weaning and before infection) were related to increased disease severity in conventional housing systems only. High resisters showed a lower histological lung lesion score, which appeared unrelated to sex. Body temperature, behavior, and growth prior to infections were influenced by housing regimen but could not explain the variation in lung lesion scores after infection. Raised basal lymphocyte counts and lower skin lesion scores are related to reduced disease severity independent of or dependent on housing system, respectively. In conclusion, our study identifies intrinsic animal-based measures using linear regression analysis that predicts resilience to infections in pigs.

Comparison of Protectivity and Safety of Two Vaccines against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in a Field Study

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae causing porcine pleuropneumoniae is responsible for lowered productivity and reduction of performance indicators such as daily weight gain and increase of losses in the swine industry worldwide. To control the disease, vaccination is used to reduce clinical signs and production losses. A randomized, blinded field trail was conducted to compare two licensed A. pleuropneumoniae vaccines in 600 finishing pigs in terms of lung lesions, mortality, medication, weight gain and safety, in a farm in northeast Germany. After weaning, pigs were allocated randomly in two groups resulting in group sizes of 300 individuals. Nursery pigs were vaccinated at the age of 7 to 10 weeks either with a A. pleuropneumoniae bacterin, containing ApxI-III toxoids (group 1), or with a subunit purified A. pleuropneumoniae toxoid vaccine (group 2). Blinded lung lesion scoring at slaughter following the Ceva Lung Program methodology revealed a significantly lower proportion of lungs affected with pleurisy in group 1 compared to group 2. Weighing of the animals did not show a significant difference (p = 0.092); however, at the end of finishing animals of group 1 showed a 1.59 kg higher weight (100.40 ± 10.15 kg) compared to animals in group 2 (98.81 kg ± 11.56 kg). Mortality and antimicrobial medication were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (13 losses and 17 antimicrobial medications in group 2, 4 losses and 1 antimicrobial medications in group 1). Injection site and systemic adverse reactions were recorded on both days of vaccination and did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). In this study, the efficacy of vaccination with a commercially available A. pleuropneumoniae bacterin containing ApxI-III toxoids was superior to that of a commercially available A. pleuropneumoniae subunit toxoid vaccine in preventing pulmonary lesions associated with A. pleuropneumoniae infection.Grzegorz Woźniakowski