Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von Leptospiren-, Toxoplasmen- und PRRSV-Antikörpern sowie von Salmonellen und Spulwurmeiern auf österreichischen Bioschweinebetrieben

Summary

In Austria, 80.000 organic fattening pigs are raised on 13% out of all pig production farms. Consumer expectations regarding animal health and welfare and meat quality
are particularly high for organic products (Baumgartner et al. 2003). Health problems in organic pig farming are often related to the outdoor area, exposing the animals to
bacterial and parasitic agents. In this study, data about zoonotic agents as, Leptospira ssp., Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella were collected. Infections by the Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Ascaris (A.) suum were also investigated. The study included 59 organic farms in Austria. Blood samples and
one faecal group sample from pigs of each farm were taken at the slaughterhouse. Leptospira antibodies were found in all investigated herds. The most frequent serovars were Bratislava with 29%, Icterohämorraghiae with 21% and Canicola with 5%. In 29 herds antibodies against T. gondii were detected at least in one pig. The seroprevalence of PRRSV was 46% of the farms. Only one farm was positive for
Salmonella infantis. In 70% of the faecal samples A. suum eggs were found.