Comparative analysis of Mycoplasma hyorhinis isolates and studying the pathogenesis of infection

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a facultative swine pathogen distributed worldwide. The bacterium causes polyarthritis and polyserositis in weaners and finishers, and also has important role in the porcine respiratory disease complex as a secondary pathogen. Sows are asymptomatic carriers of the bacterium and infect the piglets during farrowing. After weaning, M. hyorhinis spreads quickly among piglets. Decrease of maternal antibodies, stress and co-infection with other, mainly viral pathogens enhance the spread of the disease and contributes to the appearance of clinical signs. Up to day, there is no commercially available vaccine in Europe for the long term protection against M. hyorhinis. Therefore, adequate housing conditions and control of other infections are crucial in the prevention of clinical signs, while targeted antimicrobial therapy can mitigate their severeness.