Seroprevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in swine originated from commercial farms in Serbia

Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A.pleuropneumoniae) is one of the most important respiratory diseases of pigs and causes worldwide severe losses in pig farming. For A.pleuropneumoniae control and monitoring, the detection of ApxIV antibodies in the serum is the most frequently used serological method. The aim of this study was to investigate presence of antibodies against A. pleuropneumoniae in blood sera of gilts and sows using the ELISA test. Samples were taken from gilts and sows originating from four commercial swine farms in Serbia. For detection of ApxIV antibodies, commercial ELISA kit was used. A total of 453 blood sera samples of gilts (207) and sows (246) were examined. Antibodies against A. pleuropneumoniae were detected in 57 (12.58%) sera. Antibodies were present in 22 (10.62 %) sera of gilts and in 35(14.22%) sera of sows. Percentage of positive sera differed among the farms, ranging in gilts from 3.33-17.77 % and in sows from 8.95-22.64%. Serological methods is one of the most important procedures in the diagnosis of porcine pleuropneumonia particularly suitable for the control of animal health status in a large breeding