Which bacterium is associated with pleuropneumonia in pigs?

Which bacterium is associated with pleuropneumonia in pigs?

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

Answer: (A)

Pleuropneumonia in pigs is classically caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a Pasteurellaceae bacterium that produces specific RTX toxins (ApxI–ApxIII). These toxins injure lung tissue and trigger a rapidly progressive, necrotizing pneumonia with fibrinous pleuritis. In-feed outbreaks in growing–finishing pigs can lead to sudden death or severe respiratory distress, and the lung lesions are typically hemorrhagic and consolidated with pleural exudate. This organism is the classic etiologic agent for pleuropneumonia, setting it apart from other respiratory pathogens. Escherichia coli tends to cause neonatal diarrhea or septicemia rather than pleuropneumonia; Pasteurella multocida is a common cause of secondary pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis but not the specific pleuropneumonia syndrome; Streptococcus suis can cause meningitis, septicemia, and polyserositis and can involve the lungs, but the distinctive pleuropneumonia picture is most closely linked to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Pleuropneumonia in pigs is classically caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a Pasteurellaceae bacterium that produces specific RTX toxins (ApxI–ApxIII). These toxins injure lung tissue and trigger a rapidly progressive, necrotizing pneumonia with fibrinous pleuritis. In-feed outbreaks in growing–finishing pigs can lead to sudden death or severe respiratory distress, and the lung lesions are typically hemorrhagic and consolidated with pleural exudate. This organism is the classic etiologic agent for pleuropneumonia, setting it apart from other respiratory pathogens. Escherichia coli tends to cause neonatal diarrhea or septicemia rather than pleuropneumonia; Pasteurella multocida is a common cause of secondary pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis but not the specific pleuropneumonia syndrome; Streptococcus suis can cause meningitis, septicemia, and polyserositis and can involve the lungs, but the distinctive pleuropneumonia picture is most closely linked to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.