ON THE ETIOLOGY AND DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS OF PORCINE ATROPHIC RHINITIS

The enzootic and progressive atrophic rhinitis (PAR) is caused by toxigenic Pasteurella multocida strains, often supported by Bordetella bronchiseptica. The Bordetellas alone are able to produce a transient rhinitis with conchae hypoplasia in piglets, which is a differential diagnosis regarding PAR. It might be that big amounts of B. bronchiseptica persist during the fattening period in large pig units and produce signs and lesions similar to those of PAR. Another differential diagnosis is sporadic atrophic rhinitis. Investigations in 26 breeding herds with sporadic cases revealed no toxigenic P. multocida. In two herds with similar clinical signs PAR was diagnosed by isolation of the causal agent. Examination of nasal swabs for toxigenic P. multocida or the P. multocida toxin allows to differentiate between the economically important PAR and other nasal disorders.