Porcine enzootic pneumonia

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Porcine enzootic pneumonia (mycoplasmal pneumonia) is a long-lasting lung disease in pigs caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. It is part of the Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex, along with Swine influenza, PRRS, and porcine circovirus 2. The disease is usually mild by itself but makes pigs more prone to other infections, such as Pasteurella multocida. Signs are most often seen in pigs over 8 weeks old, and it occurs worldwide. It spreads between pigs and from sows to piglets. Infected pigs typically cough and may develop pneumonia if a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Diagnosis can be challenging, but tests such as culture, PCR, ELISA, and fluorescent antibody testing, along with post-mortem findings, help confirm it. Treatments like tiamulin, chlortetracycline, or tilmicosin can treat affected animals and reduce spread. Vaccination is a very effective way to control the disease and can improve pig productivity. Eradication is possible, but reinfection of herds is common.