Outbreak of neurological disorder associated with Streptococcus suis in a pig multiplication unit in Kenya

Abstract

Two, 8 week old piglets from a large-scale pig multiplication unit in Nairobi, Kenya was referred to Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology for necropsy and laboratory analyses. Clinically, the piglets expressed nervous signs comprising inco-ordination, tremors, nystagmus and paralysis. Out of 200 piglets, 20 developed the disease of which 12 died. Necropsy indicated a septicemia with suppurative meningitis and pneumonia. The cause of the problem was a hemolytic S. suis that was isolated from meninges and lungs tissues. The stress of weaning and mixing piglets from different sows predisposed to disease. The study showed that confirmatory diagnosis of neurological disorders in pigs is only possible when the clinical signs observed are combined with necropsy and laboratory analyses.