Risk factors of the occurence of Campylobacter spp. infections in fattening pigs

Within the scope of a study on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in fattening herds and on pig liver surfaces, an assessment of parameters influencing the herd prevalence was performed on the basis of bacteriological and serological findings. Especially herd factors were considered in connection with herd prevalence. By means of an in-house ELISA, reactors were detected in all of the 80 serologically investigated herds. The intra-herd prevalence was between 63.3 % and 100 %. Campylobacter spp. were found on 9.8 % (n=147) of 1,500 bacteriologically investigated pig liver surfaces. Altogether, livers from 28 % (n=14) of 50 herds included in this investigation were Campylobacter negative. Statistically, bacteriological prevalence was higher in herds when clothes and boots were not changed before entering the stable. A higher serological prevalence was found in herds where diseased pigs were housed with healthy pigs in the same compartment and in herds with high loss rate in comparison to all investigated pig herds.