AIMS: Aim of the study is to evaluate the use of recombinant Bhlp29.7 in immunoblotting with sera as a means to detect pig herds infected with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sera samples from 789 sows and rectal swabs from 838 pigs of various categories on 22 farms of different size (median 450 animals), production type and history of swine dysentery (SD) were examined. Sera from 378 sows from farms with previous SD history were examined via immunoblotting. Specific antibodies were detected in 79 of these (20.9%). Examination of 411 serum samples from sows and gilts taken on 11 farms without previous history of SD detected specific antibodies in 13 sows and gilts (3.2%). These 13, however, had come from farms where the presence of B. hyodysenteriae was confirmed or SD status was not known. Seroprevalence in herds with previous SD history ranged from 2.5 to 35.7%. B. hyodysenteriae was confirmed on six (27.3%) of 22 monitored farms. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoblotting using recombinant antigen Bhlp29.7 in conjunction with culturing B. hyodysenteriae proved to be a valuable tool for detecting swine herds latently infected with B. hyodysenteriae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of immunoblotting with recombinant Bhlp29.7 should prove to be a useful adjunct to detecting herds with SD, and hence, it will assist in controlling this important disease.

Institute of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Czech Republic