Severe outbreak of adventitious sternal bursitis in a pig herd in central Italy

Abstract

This case report describes the main features of an outbreak of adventitious sternal bursitis that severely affected a pig herd in Central Italy between April and May 2016. All cases involved pigs aged 4 to 5 months, originating from the same farm and sharing the same genetic background. Concurrent infections with beta-hemolytic streptococci were observed. The intrinsic and extrinsic causative factors, as well as the significance of this disease in pigs, are herein reviewed and discussed.