Which bacterium is associated with pleuropneumonia in pigs?

Which bacterium is associated with pleuropneumonia in pigs?

• A. Pasteurella multocida
• B. Escherichia coli
• C. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
• D. Streptococcus suis

Answer: (C)

Pleuropneumonia in pigs is caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a swine pathogen that triggers severe, fibrinous pneumonia with pleuritis. This organism specifically colonizes the upper respiratory tract and, once established in the lungs, releases toxins that cause tissue damage, hemorrhage, and the distinctive pleuropneumonia picture seen in affected pigs. That direct link to the disease makes it the best answer. Other bacteria listed are associated with different swine diseases or pneumonia patterns. Pasteurella multocida can contribute to pneumonia or secondary infections but isn’t the classic cause of pleuropneumonia; Escherichia coli mainly causes enteric disease in neonates; Streptococcus suis often presents with septicemia, meningitis, or other conditions rather than the characteristic pleuropneumonia.

Pleuropneumonia in pigs is caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a swine pathogen that triggers severe, fibrinous pneumonia with pleuritis. This organism specifically colonizes the upper respiratory tract and, once established in the lungs, releases toxins that cause tissue damage, hemorrhage, and the distinctive pleuropneumonia picture seen in affected pigs. That direct link to the disease makes it the best answer.

Other bacteria listed are associated with different swine diseases or pneumonia patterns. Pasteurella multocida can contribute to pneumonia or secondary infections but isn’t the classic cause of pleuropneumonia; Escherichia coli mainly causes enteric disease in neonates; Streptococcus suis often presents with septicemia, meningitis, or other conditions rather than the characteristic pleuropneumonia.