Update on Streptococcus suis research and prevention in the era of antimicrobial restriction: 4th International Workshop on S. suis

Authors: SEGURA, MARIELA - University Of Montreal; ARAGON, VIRGINIA - University Of Barcelona; Brockmeier, Susan; GEBHART, CONNIE - University Of Minnesota; DE GREEFF, ASTRID - Lelystad Biologicals; KERDSIN, ANUSAK - Kasetsart University; O’DEA, MARK - Murdoch University; OKURA, MASATOSHI - Japan Automobile Research Institute; SALÉRY, MARIETTE - French Agency For Food, Environmental And Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES); SCHULTS, CONSTANCE - University Of Amsterdam; VALENTIN-WEIGAND, PETER - Institute For Plant Virology, Microbiology And Biosafety; WEINERT, LUCY - University Of Cambridge; WELLS, JERRY - Wageningen University And Research Center; GOTTSCHALK, MARCELO - University Of Montreal

Submitted to: Pathogens
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2020
Publication Date: 5/13/2020
Citation: Segura, M., Aragon, V., Brockmeier, S., Gebhart, C., De Greeff, ., Kerdsin, ., O’Dea, M.A., Okura, M., Saléry, M., Schults, C., Valentin-Weigand, P., Weinert, L.A., Wells, J.M., Gottschalk, M. 2020. Update on Streptococcus suis research and prevention in the era of antimicrobial restriction: 4th International Workshop on S. suis. Pathogens. 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9050374.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9050374

Interpretive Summary: Streptococcus suis is a swine pathogen that can also afflict people in close contact with infected pigs or pork meat. Although sporadic cases of human infections had been reported worldwide, S. suis outbreaks emerged in Asia making this bacterium a primary health concern in this part of the globe. In pigs, S. suis disease results in decreased performance and increased mortality which have a significant economic impact on swine production worldwide. Facing the new regulations in preventive use of antimicrobials in livestock and lack of effective vaccines, control of S. suis infections is worrisome. The 4th International Workshop on Streptococcus suis (held in Montreal, Canada, June 2019) was held to share knowledge on this pathogen. This review gathers together recent findings on this important pathogen from lectures performed by lead researchers from several countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK and USA.

Technical Abstract: Streptococcus suis is a swine pathogen and a zoonotic agent afflicting people in close contact with infected pigs or pork meat. Although sporadic cases of human infections had been reported worldwide, S. suis outbreaks emerged in Asia making this bacterium is a primary health concern in this part of the globe. In pigs, S. suis disease results in decreased performance and increased mortality which have a significant economic impact on swine production worldwide. Facing the new regulations in preventive use of antimicrobials in livestock and lack of effective vaccines, control of S. suis infections is worrisome. Increasing and sharing of knowledge on this pathogen is of utmost importance. As such, the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the infection, antimicrobial resistance, progress on diagnosis, prevention and control were among the topics discussed during the 4th International Workshop on Streptococcus suis (held in Montreal, Canada, June 2019). This review gathers together recent findings on this important pathogen from lectures performed by lead researchers from several countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK and USA. Finally, policies and recommendations for the manufacture, control and use of inactivated autogenous vaccines are addressed to advance this important field in veterinary medicine.