Multiple abscesses in a pig caused by Trueperella pyogenes (Arcanobacterium pyogenes): Case report

Abstract

A two-year-old male Duroc Jersey pig with 250 kg body-weight presented a swollen mass tissue of hard consistency in the ventral side of the neck skin fold and severe inflammation at the tarsal joint of the right hind limb. The Gram-positive bacteria Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes was isolated in pure culture by microbiological methods and was sensitive to several antibiotics including Gentamicin and Sulfa-trimethoprim. The abscesses were drained and the pig treated with sulfa-trimethoprim at 20 mg/kg for 5 d and later with gentamicin at 5 mg/kg for 5 d together with anti-inflammatory drugs. The abscesses re-emerged and the pig was sacrificed and the anatomo-pathological findings at necropsy recorded. T. pyogenes caused severe suppurative arthritis and cutaneous abscesses in a pig, suggesting the need of surveillance and rapid diagnostics methods in the Tolima pig industry.