Mycoplasma Hyosynviea in Swine

Infection of the pig by the tiny bacteria, Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, can easily, quickly and without warning become a problem for producers. The organism is everywhere and research indicates it is likely that all herds are touched by it.
Mycoplasma Hyosynviea begins as a respiratory disease with the organism being found in the upper respiratory tract nose and tonsils. The bacteria is spread by droplet infection pig to pig and when it takes hold, it spreads to the joints (principally the stifle joint)
and tendon sheaths of susceptible animals causing lameness and swelling. What is still needing understanding though is that while some herds don't ever express clinical signs others become plagued with it.

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Mycoplasma Hyosynviea can occur around 12 - 30 weeks of age. The signs are usually progressive in nature and follow the path of:

• Shifting lameness
• Stiffening of gait
• Dog-like sitting habit
• Recumbency.

The pigs generally do not run a fever, and they often do not lose weight until they can no longer get to the feeder comfortably.

How Mycoplasma Hyosynviea is Transmitted

Since the organism resides in the tonsillar region, infection is oronasal by pig to pig transmission or indirectly from contaminated drinkers or aerosols and has taken place in many herds by 10-12 weeks of age.
The organism is delicate but may survive drying for up to 4 weeks, thus allowing some indirect infection from the environment and it is normally spread to uninfected farms by carrier pigs.

Treatment and Prevention of Hyosynviea in Swine

Successful treatment of M. hyosynoviae takes careful observation on the part of the producer. Affected pigs must be identified early and treated with a combination of injectable corticosteroid to reduce the swelling
and the immune system’s reaction to the organism and antibiotic to kill the organism. Penicillin generally does not work, but the organism is usually sensitive to Tylosin, lincomycin or tiamulin.

Treatment of animals with early clinical signs by injection on with Tylosin or lincomycin may also be used for a similar period, and enrofloxacin may be given at 2.5 mg/kg for 3 successive days has been found useful.
Isolation of the organism from the joints of such treated animals is difficult. Animals in contact should be treated. Where the introduction of breeding stock to infected herd results in lameness (usually after 14-21 days),
a course of treatment such as lincomycin in drinking water should be given at least 2-3 days before the expected appearance of the clinical signs and the treatment repeated 10 days later.

Mycoplasma Hyosynviea can be confused symptomatically with erysipelas, Hemophilus parasuis, OCD and trauma.

It's important to contact your veterinarian to determine the best treatment program options when Mycoplasma Hyosynviea affects your site.

If you have any questions, please contact Pipestone Veterinarian Services by calling 507-562-PIGS(7447).