Evaluation of Innate Immunity in Pigs Under Field Conditions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate some innate immunity parameters of pigs under different environmental and clinical conditions. In a preliminary phase, physiological values of serum lysozyme, haemolytic complement (classical pathway), bactericidal activity and haptoglobin were assessed in healthy pigs of different ages to define a range of reference values. Then, the same assays were employed in “problem” pig farms, characterized by repeated occurrence of opportunistic disease outbreaks. Under poor environmental conditions the levels of the parameters under study were shown to be significantly different from the above range prior to, as well as following disease outbreaks. Also, the above range of values was observed in the same” problem” farms after major improvements of the housing conditions. Results indicate that a combined scheme of clinical and environmental inspections associated with a timely assessment of clinical immunology parameters can be a practical and accurate reporter system of pigs’ environmental adaptation and a suitable readout of interventions for better health and welfare conditions.