Diagnosing and treating the Suis-ide Diseases

Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus suis have similar profiles and are common in recently weaned nursery pigs. Some guidelines on how to identify and deal with them

by ERNEST SANFORD

Three bacteria with similar disease profiles have earned the colloquial name “Suis-ide Diseases.” The three bacteria, Streptococcus (Strep) suis, Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus suis cause a wide range of clinical conditions, most commonly in recently weaned nursery pigs, often in but not restricted to higher health herds. These bacteria are “early colonizers,” meaning they colonize piglets at birth or in the first few days of life, making them difficult to control by management practices like segregated early weaning (SEW).

Better Pork - August 2012