Septicemic salmonellosis in suckling piglets resulting from improper intramuscular administration of an oral vaccine

Abstract

We describe an unusual outbreak of mortality in suckling piglets following the misadministration of an oral vaccine against Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Choleraesuis. Within 3–48 h of vaccination of a batch of ~700 piglets, ~300 developed marked swelling in the dorsal neck region, respiratory distress, fever, recumbency, and apathy. In total, ~100 died, and 4 were submitted for autopsy. Gross and microscopic lesions consisted of focally extensive areas of purple discoloration in the skin of the cervical region, associated with edema and hemorrhage in the subcutis and muscles. Additionally, there was interstitial pneumonia with marked interlobular edema and mild fibrinous pleuritis. Aerobic bacterial culture identified Salmonella Typhimurium (3 cases) and Salmonella Choleraesuis (1 case) in samples of skeletal muscle and lung and from pleural swab samples. Marked immunostaining against Salmonella spp. was observed in the skeletal muscle of the cervical region, as well as in blood vessels and macrophages from the lung, liver, spleen, and kidney. We concluded that inappropriate intramuscular administration of an oral vaccine against Salmonella resulted in septicemia and death in a batch of piglets.