Outbreak of oedema disease in pigs in Concórdia, Santa Catarina

Abstract

An outbreak of oedema disease in weaned pigs was described, for the first time in Brazil. The disease was diagnosed in pigs on 57 small farms. Of the 1,919 weaned pigs observed, 8 to 12 weeks of age, 1,057 were sick (morbidity 55%) and 620 died (mortality 32,3%). Clinical characteristics observed were incoordination of movements, paralysis of the legs, mostly of the hindquarters, muscular tremors, apathy and loss of appetite. Diarrhea was seen only sporadically. Post-mortem findings were severe gelatinous oedema of the subcutaneous tissue, mainly of the posterior region of the abdomen and the inner side of the hindquarters, and of the mesentery folds of the large intestine. Haemolytic strains of Escherichia coli of serotypes 0139:K82(B) and 08:K87(B), K88(L) were identified.