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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213830
Title: Clostridium difficile prevalence in an integrated swine operation in Texas

Author
item Harvey, Roger
item Hume, Michael
item SCOTT, H - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item Andrews, Kathleen - Kate
item NORMAN, K - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item MARTIN, J - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item Nisbet, David

Submitted to: Proceedings of Allen D Leman Swine Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2007
Publication Date: 9/20/2007
Citation: Harvey, R.B., Hume, M.E., Norman, K.N., Scott, H.M., Andrews, K., Martin, J.D., Anderson, R.C., Nisbet, D.J. 2007. Clostridium difficile prevalence in an integrated swine operation in Texas [abstract]. Proceedings of Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. 34:28.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Recently there has been an epidemic of human disease in North America caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile (Cd). It appears to be a new strain that is more virulent than previous strains, produces more toxins, and causes more severe disease (McDonald et al., 2005). The origin of the new strain is unknown. Genetic analysis suggests that the new strain is 80% related to some swine Cd isolates. No epidemiological information is available on the prevalence of Cd in apparently healthy swine in commercial operations. The objectives of the present study were to: 1) determine the prevalence of Cd in different age groups of swine in a commercial operation; 2) determine the antibiotic resistance of swine isolates of Cd and compare them to resistance patterns of human isolates; and 3) compare the genetic relatedness of swine Cd isolates to human epidemic strain Cd isolates. Over an 8 month period, composite fecal samples were collected from 685 swine of all production groups from an integrated swine operation in Texas. Each sample represented a minimum of 10 animals. Samples were collected from 5 farrow-to-finish units, 6 finisher units, 1 boar quarantine facility, and 1 slaughter plant from 4 different geographical locations. Cultivation for Cd was performed according to the enrichment techniques described by Rodriquez-Palacios et al. (2006). Isolates were tested for toxins A and B by use of a commercial ELISA kit (C. difficile Tox A/B II, TechLab). Antibiotic sensitivity testing to 10 antibiotics was accomplished by use of Etest (AB Biodisk). Once cultivation is finished, Cd isolates will be tested for toxins A and B genes (PCR), tcdC gene deletion (PCR and sequencing), PFGE, and PFGE dendrograms developed by CDC to compare pig isolates to human isolates. From July-January, 35 Cd were isolated from 483 samples, 30 of which came from farrowing barns (piglets, lactating sows, effluent). In February and March, an additional 26 Cd were isolated from 202 samples, the majority from farrowing barns. Only 5 isolates were from grower/finisher pigs and no Cd was isolated from pork fat. There appeared to be a seasonality of Cd prevalence as 41 of 61 (67%) isolates occurred during Jan., Feb., and March. The majority (78%) of isolates came from 3 farms (all farrow-to-finish). All but 2 (quarantine boars) of a total of 61 isolates were positive for toxins A and B. Of the 35 original isolates, 100% were resistant to cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem; 28% intermediate to ampicillin; and the remainder susceptible to tetracycline, metronidazole clindamycin, chloramphenicol, pipercillin/tazobactam, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. On the basis of these preliminary results, it appears that piglets have the highest prevalence of Cd. Because of the very low carriage rate, we do not consider finisher pigs a risk for transfer of Cd to the food chain.