{"id":6534,"date":"2015-09-16T15:52:21","date_gmt":"2015-09-16T14:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/?page_id=6534"},"modified":"2016-04-18T14:29:52","modified_gmt":"2016-04-18T13:29:52","slug":"streptococcus-suis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/pig-diseases\/streptococcus-suis\/","title":{"rendered":"Streptococcal Infections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignright\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/pig-diseases\/streptococcus-suis\/?pfstyle=wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"pfTrackEvent(&#039;Streptococcal Infections&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF & Email\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pf-button-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/printfriendly-pdf-email-button-notext.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF & Email\" style=\"width: 110px;height: 30px;\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Pig Diseases<\/h2><div id=\"gticontainer\"><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><div id=\"gti_letterindex\"><ul><li><a href=\"#gti_all\">All<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_B\" href=\"#\">B<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_C\" href=\"#\">C<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_D\" href=\"#\">D<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_E\" href=\"#\">E<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_G\" href=\"#\">G<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_L\" href=\"#\">L<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_M\" href=\"#\">M<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_P\" href=\"#\">P<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_R\" href=\"#\">R<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_S\" href=\"#\">S<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_T\" href=\"#\">T<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tagindex\"><div id='gti_div_B'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_B'>B<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/blue-ear-disease\/\">Blue Ear Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_C'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_C'>C<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/clostridia\/\">Clostridia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/coccidiosis-in-pigs\/\">Coccidiosis in Pigs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/colibacillosis-in-pigs\/\">Colibacillosis in Pigs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_D'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_D'>D<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/piglet-diarrhoea-3\/\">Diarrhea (Piglet)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_E'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_E'>E<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/colibacillosis-in-pigs-2\/\">E. coli<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/coccidiosis-in-pigs-2\/\">Eimeria<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/enteritis-necrotic\/\">Enteritis - Necrotic<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/erysipelothrix-rhusiopathiae\/\">Erysipelas<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/external-parasites\/\">External Parasites<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/colibacillosis-in-pigs-3\/\">Edema Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_G'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_G'>G<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-4\/\">Greasy Pig Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_L'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_L'>L<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-2\/\">Lice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_M'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_M'>M<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-3\/\">Mange<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/meningitis\/\">Meningitis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_P'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_P'>P<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/porcine-parvovirus-2\/\">Parvovirus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs-2-3\/\">PEARS<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/piglet-diarrhoea\/\">Piglet Diarrhea<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/pneumonia\/\">Pneumonia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs-3\/\">Porcine Epidemic Abortion and Respiratory Syndrome<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/porcine-parvovirus\/\">Porcine Parvovirus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs-2\/\">Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/piglet-diarrhoea-2\/\">Post-weaning Diarrhea<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs\/\">PRRS<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_R'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_R'>R<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/pneumonia-in-pigs\/\">Respiratory Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-6\/\">Ringworm<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_S'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_S'>S<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/piglet-diarrhoea-4\/\">Scours<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs-2-2\/\">SIRS<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions\/\">Skin conditions<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/streptococcus-suis\/\">Streptococcal Infections<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/prrs-2-4\/\">Swine Infertility and Respiratory Syndrome<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-5\/\">Swine Pox<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_T'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_T'>T<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/tetanus\/\">Tetanus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/pig-diseases\/\/skin-conditions-7\/\">Ticks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h4>Streptococcal Infections in Pigs<\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Including: Meningitis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"two_third\">\n<strong><em>Streptococcus suis<\/em> is a major pig pathogen worldwide, and this bacterium can be transmitted to humans in close contact with sick or carrier pigs. Infections caused by <em>S. suis<\/em> are considered a global and economical issue (<a href=\"#ref\">Gottschalk et al., 2010<\/a>). There are at least thirty-four <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Microorganisms of the same species that have different surface antigens\">serotypes<\/a><\/span> of <em>S. suis. <\/em>The <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Microorganisms of the same species that have different surface antigens\">serotypes<\/a><\/span> vary in their pathogenicity and the diseases they cause. The natural habitat of <em>S. suis<\/em> is the upper respiratory tract, particularly the tonsils <a id=\"strep\"><\/a>and nasal cavities, and the genital and alimentary tract of pigs (<a href=\"#ref\">Haesebrouck et al., 2004<\/a>). A survey conducted in the USA on common diseases in large commercial swine operations (producing greater than 150,000 pigs per year) found that <em>S. suis <\/em>was the fourth most significant pathogen in the breeder and weaner site, and the tenth in the finisher site (<a href=\"#ref\">Varela et al., 2013<\/a>).<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last\">\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"What are Streptococcal Infections?\" href=\"#strep\">What are Streptococcal Infections?<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Control and Prevention\" href=\"#control_prevention\">Control and Prevention<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"What are the treatment options?\" href=\"#treatment\">Treatment Options<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Good Practice Based on Current Knowledge\" href=\"#good_practice\">Good Practice<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6599\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/sow-and-piglets-outdoors-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6599\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6599\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/sow-and-piglets-outdoors-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"sow and piglets outdoors\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/sow-and-piglets-outdoors-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/sow-and-piglets-outdoors-2.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6599\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong><em>Streptococcal suis<\/em> is the fourth most significant pathogen in breeder and weaner systems in the US (<a href=\"#ref\">Varela et al., 2013<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span>A variety of streptococcal infections affect pigs and can be associated with <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Blood poisoning caused by pathogenic organisms in the blood circulation\">septicemia<\/a><\/span>, arthritis, meningitis and septic shock in both pigs and humans (<a href=\"#ref\">Taylor, 1995<\/a>). It is not clear why virulent <em>S. suis<\/em> strains successfully colonise only some piglets and not others. Some animals will merely be healthy carriers and will never develop disease, whereas others will, sooner or later, develop bacteremia, septicemia, meningitis or other clinical conditions (<a href=\"#ref\">Haesebrouck et al., 2004<\/a>). Environmental factors such as overcrowding, relative high humidity and excessive fluctuating temperatures\u00a0can influence clinical disease (<a href=\"#ref\">Dee et al., 1993<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>It is a <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The ability of an infectious disease to pass from animals to humans or vice versa\">zoonotic<\/a><\/span> disease. Human infection with <em>S. suis<\/em> occurs mainly among certain risk groups that have frequent exposure to pigs or pork (<a href=\"#ref\">Halaby et al., 2000<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Watkins et al., 2001<\/a>). Outbreaks of human <em>S. suis<\/em> infection in the UK are uncommon, however, several outbreaks have occurred in China in recent years (<a href=\"#ref\">Huang et al., 2005;<\/a><a href=\"#ref\"> Lun et al., 2007<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Marois et al., 2007<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Streptococcal infection is caused by invasion of streptococci organisms through the respiratory route. The most common infection is from <em>S. Suis<\/em> Types 1 and 2 (<a href=\"#ref\">Cowart, 1995<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Higgins and Gottschalk, 2013<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Taylor, 1995<\/a>). Transmission is primarily from pig to pig, and from sow to piglet. In one report, 3.8% of weaned piglets were infected with Type 2 <em>S. suis<\/em>, and mortality from the disease accounted for 44% of mortality in weaned piglets over 2 years (<a href=\"#ref\">Guise et al., 1985<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6593\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/piglets-feeding.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6593\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6593\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/piglets-feeding-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"piglets feeding\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/piglets-feeding-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/piglets-feeding.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Suckling piglets\u00a0are initially\u00a0protected by maternal antibodies in their mother milk. It is more common 2-3 weeks post-weaning up to 4 months of age.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span>Disease is uncommon in sucking piglets as they tend to be protected by antibodies in <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Form of milk produced in late pregnancy containing antibodies to protect newborn against disease\">colostrum<\/a><\/span>. It is more common 2-3 weeks post-weaning period up to 4 months of age. <em>S.<\/em> <em>suis <\/em>Type 1 occurs fairly commonly in most countries and causes sporadic arthritis and occasionally meningitis in sucking piglets usually around one to two weeks of age but sometimes up to six weeks.<\/p>\n<p><em>Streptococcal meningitis<\/em> is another streptococcal infection that can lead to significant losses. \u00a0In acute cases of Type 2 meningitis, weaners and growers may die. In the early stages shivering and lying flat with hair standing on end will be followed a few hours later by flicking eye movements with animals lying on their side paddling and salivating before the pig squeals with pain and goes into convulsion with the head laid on one side.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"control_prevention\"><\/a>Nutrition is important as pigs that suffer nutritional stress can be more susceptible to disease. Low vitamin E in the diet may also exacerbate the <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The number of new cases in a population \">incidence<\/a><\/span> (<a href=\"#ref\">Lamberts, 1997<\/a>). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/pig-diseases\/prrs\/\" target=\"_blank\">PRRS infection<\/a>\u00a0can result in a greater susceptibility to <em>S. suis<\/em> infection (<a href=\"#ref\">Feng et al., 2001<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Thanawongnuwech et al., 2000<\/a>). Therefore, strategies that reduce the risk of PPRS virus entering the herd or reduce the clinical signs of PPRS may reduce the clinical severity of <em>S. suis.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Control and Prevention of Streptococcal Infections<\/h4>\n<p>The most likely source of entry into the farm are via replacement animals brought in. Some of the risks may be reduced by following particular sustainable livestock farming principles including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintaining a closed herd<\/li>\n<li>Low stocking rates<\/li>\n<li>A rotation policy, although it is important to bear in mind that the bacteria can survive at 0\u00b0C (32\u00b0F) \u00a0in feces for 104 days and in dust for 54 days, so it is\u00a0probable it will survive for\u00a0a similar duration\u00a0outdoors in very cold conditions (<a href=\"#ref\">Clifton-Hadley and Enright., 1984<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Excessive temperature fluctuation, high relative humidity, crowding, poor ventilation and an age spread of &gt; 2 weeks between pigs in the same room have been identified as the 4 most commonly encountered problems on farms with higher-than-average percentages of carrier pigs (<a href=\"#ref\">Dee et al., 1993<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6591\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/large-outdoor-pig-unit.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6591\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6591\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/large-outdoor-pig-unit-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"large outdoor pig unit\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6591\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>The health of outdoor pigs tends to be better than of their indoor counterparts (<a href=\"#ref\">Potter, 1998<\/a>). Overcrowding, stress and poor ventilation are all regarded as contributors to risk of infection. Diseases where the transmission if from pig to pig is slower than in confined herds.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span>Huts and arks should be kept clean, dry and draught free, and used bedding destroyed. Accommodation should be insulated well in order to maintain stable temperatures and should be periodically disinfected (<a href=\"#ref\">Band, 1990<\/a>). Overcrowding, stress and poor ventilation are all regarded as contributors to risk of infection. Overall, low stocking rates will help to avoid overcrowding provided adequate hut space for growing and finishing stock.<\/p>\n<p>Rodents and flies have been associated with farms carrying high rates of <em>S. suis <\/em>(<a href=\"#ref\">Varela et al., 2013<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, animals should only be purchased from herds that are accredited free of <em>S. suis<\/em> Type 2 and should be isolated on delivery for screening for symptoms (<a href=\"#ref\">Cowart, 1995<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Potter, 1998<\/a>). Mixing of different age groups of pigs is seen as a contributing factor in indoor units (<a href=\"#ref\">Higgins and Gottschalk, 2013<\/a>). <em>S. suis<\/em> Type 2 can be spread by direct nose to nose contact and by aerosol infection in confined spaces. Clinically healthy pigs can be carriers. Once a <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Microorganisms of the same species that have different surface antigens\">serotype<\/a><\/span> has entered a herd it becomes established in the tonsil as part of the <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"The mixture or microorganisms normally found at specific body sites \">normal flora<\/a><\/span> and there are no techniques available to remove it.<\/p>\n<p>Destocking will help to reduce the microbial load in an existing facility, followed by use of appropriate disinfectants and hot water (<a href=\"#ref\">Dee et al., 1993<\/a>).<em> S. suis<\/em> is quickly killed by <a id=\"treatment\"><\/a>disinfectants, including phenolic and chlorine and iodine based disinfectants (<a href=\"#ref\">Band, 1990<\/a>). Detergents and soaps are also effective.<\/p>\n<h3>Vaccination against <em>Streptococcus suis<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>MSD Animal Health produce a vaccine called Porcilis<em> Strep suis<\/em>. This is available in Europe and requires an SIC (Special Import Certificate) for use in the UK.\u00a0 <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"A vaccine which is made from the pathogen itself, and is used to immunize others in the herd\/flock\">Autogenous vaccines<\/a><\/span> can also be made in the UK.\u00a0 These are specific to the unit affected.\u00a0 In the US there are both commercial and <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"A vaccine which is made from the pathogen itself, and is used to immunize others in the herd\/flock\">Autogenous vaccines<\/a><\/span> options.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Treating Streptococcal Infections<\/h4>\n<p>Early treatment, isolation and good nursing are all important in aiding recovery and minimizing suffering, as is the use of anti-inflammatory products alongside antimicrobials\u00a0for improved recovery rates and response to treatment. They also relieve pain and discomfort caused by infection.<\/p>\n<p>In treatment of clinical cases, penicillin is effective (<a href=\"#ref\">Johnston et al., 1992<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">McKellar et al., 1987<\/a>), together with isolation and the provision of adequate food and water. Pigs that are infected with <em>S. suis<\/em> Type 2 and are convulsing need to be watered carefully with a drench as they are unable to drink voluntarily. In most severe cases rectal administration of water given frequently in small volumes may be needed. Vitamin E supplements for piglets may also enhance resistance to the disease (<a href=\"#ref\">Lamberts, 1997<\/a>). Antibiotic resistance of <em>S. suis<\/em> to antimicrobials commonly used in swine, including lincosamides, macrolides, sulphonamides and tetracycline has been documented worldwide with resistance in up to 85% of strains (<a href=\"#ref\">Varela et al., 2013<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>For more on treatment see:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thepigsite.com\/pighealth\/article\/360\/streptococcal-infections\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.thepigsite.com\/pighealth\/article\/360\/streptococcal-infections<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4><a id=\"good_practice\"><\/a>Streptococcal Infections and Welfare<\/h4>\n<p>Affected animals should always be isolated and treated immediately to avoid suffering. Pigs affected with <em>S. suis<\/em> Type 2 should be kept in a quiet, dark environment, avoiding stimuli in order to limit the risk of convulsion. Care should be taken that convulsing animals are watered often enough to avoid dehydration. Severely affected cases that are non-responsive to treatment may require euthanasia on welfare grounds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Good Practice Based on Current Knowledge<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>A closed herd policy should be operated if possible<\/li>\n<li>Maintain high levels of hygiene in farrowing huts and arks<\/li>\n<li>Keep huts dry, well-ventilated and clean<\/li>\n<li>Burn or destroy used bedding<\/li>\n<li>Disinfect houses between batches<\/li>\n<li>Maintain low stocking rates, and minimize stress levels in weaner accommodation<\/li>\n<li>Isolate infected stock from the herd and treat immediately<\/li>\n<li>If replacement animals are purchased, ensure these come from herds accredited free of <em>S. suis<\/em> Type 2<\/li>\n<li>Treatment of infected animals should commence as soon as the disease is recognized<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If streptococcal infections have been a problem in the unit in the past, design an action plan for outbreaks for the animal health plan, in collaboration with the vet.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"ref\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle\">\n<div class=\"toggle-title active\">Streptococcal Infections References<span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-inner\">\n<div id=\"zotpress-e9ec9b67cda94a9bab435359b0b3034c\" class=\"zp-Zotpress zp-Zotpress-Bib wp-block-group\">\n\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_API_USER_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">254757<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ITEM_KEY\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_COLLECTION_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">VVXRG8RX<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TAG_ID\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_AUTHOR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_YEAR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEMTYPE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEM_TYPE\" style=\"display: none;\">items<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_INCLUSIVE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_STYLE\" style=\"display: none;\">apa<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_LIMIT\" style=\"display: none;\">0<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SORTBY\" style=\"display: none;\">author<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ORDER\" style=\"display: none;\">asc<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TITLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWIMAGE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWTAGS\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_DOWNLOADABLE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_NOTES\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ABSTRACT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_CITEABLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TARGET\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_URLWRAP\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_FORCENUM\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_HIGHLIGHT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_POSTID\" style=\"display: none;\">6534<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZOTPRESS_PLUGIN_URL\" style=\"display:none;\">https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/zotpress\/<\/span>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"zp-List loading\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"zp-SEO-Content\">\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-zp-SEO-Content -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-List -->\n\t<\/div><!--.zp-Zotpress-->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6023,"parent":1189,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6534"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11568,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6534\/revisions\/11568"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}