AAAR 32nd Annual Conference
September 30 - October 4, 2013
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Ubiquity and Persistence of Streptococcus Suis Bioaerosols in Swine Confinement Buildings
LAETITIA BONIFAIT, Marc Veillette, Daniel Grenier, Caroline Duchaine, Université Laval, Canada
Abstract Number: 73 Working Group: Bioaerosols: Characterization and Environmental Impact
Abstract Streptococcus suis is a swine pathogen causing septicaemia, meningitis, endocarditis and pneumonia. Also recognized as an important emerging agent of zoonosis, S. suis is the main cause of human meningitis in Vietnam. Among the 35 serotypes of S. suis, serotype 2 is the predominant isolate from diseased animals and humans. In order to better understand the transmission route of S. suis and the potential risks of infection for pig farmers, we developed tools to study the aerosolization and persistence of S. suis in the air of swine confinement buildings (SCB). We investigated the presence of this pathogen in bioaerosols from finishing SCB as well as in SCB with noticed cases of these bacteria. Air was sampled on gelatin membranes mounted in IOM cassettes or by a Coriolis cyclone sampler. Using a PCR-based method, one out of two finishing SCB showed the presence of serotype 2 in the air while S. suis serotype 2 was present in the air of all SCB with noticed S. suis cases. In the latter situation, the presence and the concentration of total bacteria, total S. suis and S. suis serotype 2 were monitored during five weeks and showed the persistence of S. suis serotype 2. Our results provide a better understanding of the aerosolization, ubiquity and persistence of S. suis and will had to the knowledge required to improve prevention and protection of swine cattle and swine producers in North America.