Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #41545
Title: ISOLATED WEANING AS A METHOD TO RAISE SWINE CULTURE NEGATIVE FOR SALMONELLA

Author
item FEDORKA-CRAY PAU - 3630-30-00
item HARRIS D L - IOWA STATE UNIV., AMES
item WHIPP SHANNON C - 3630-30-00

Submitted to: Veterinary Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Salmonella typhimurium causes a severe gastroenteritis in humans. In animals, while the disease is often inapparent, the bacteria can persist on or in the carcasses up to the time of slaughter. Currently, there are no vaccines available to protect animals from carrying Salmonella spp. We attempted to use a management technique known as isolated weaning to determine if pigs can be raised free of Salmonella species to 6 weeks of age for research purposes. Pigs were weaned at an early age and placed in confinement facilities. Access was limited and the environment was kept clean. We were able to successfully raise and maintain swine free of Salmonella species by use of this technique. Currently, we are investigating the possibility of using isolated weaning on the farm to raise pigs free of Salmonella species up to market weight. Having pigs free of Salmonella spp. at the time of slaughter would increase the likelihood that the consumer would receive a more wholesome and safe product.

Technical Abstract: We attempted to raise pigs free of Salmonella spp. to 6 weeks of age for research purposes by use of isolated weaning techniques. Three methods were investigated over 16 trials. The pigs were not medicated or vaccinated. For method 1, pregnant gilts were transported to isolation facilities and allowed to farrow. In 2 of 4 trials, 130 pigs were weaned at 21 days of age and raised free of Salmonella spp. For method 2, gilts were farrowed in the source herd and at weaning, pigs were transported to isolation facilities at 14 to 17 days of age. In 4 of 5 trials, 68 pigs were raised free of Salmonella spp. For method 3, gilts were farrowed in the source herd and at weaning, pigs were transported to isolation facilities at 10 to 14 days of age. In 7 of 7 trials, 172 pigs were raised free of Salmonella spp. These data indicate that the likelihood of infection of pigs with Salmonella spp. is markedly decreased by use of isolated weaning techniques and suggests that use of isolated weaning techniques is a practical approach for raising and maintaining pigs free of Salmonella spp.