Swine Dysentery (SD) has been estimated to cost swine producers in excess of $180 million annually, and is quarantinable in most states. Confirmation of the disease is based on the detection of the bacteria, Serpulina hyodysenteriae, from infected pigs. An accurate diagnosis of SD currently includes labor-intensive and time consuming procedures which do not always result in the detection and/or isolation of the causative agent. In addition, many veterinary diagnostic laboratories across the country are not set-up to perform anaerobic bacteriology, and consequently, must send samples to more experienced laboratories for diagnosis. Since there are very few laboratories in the U.S: with experience isolating and identifying S. hyodysenteriae from infected pigs, samples may need to be sent great distances and results may not be obtained for many days or even weeks. The need for easily interpreted, rapid, and sensitive diagnostic tests, which require no specialized laboratory equipment, for swine dysentery is great. We propose the development of a nucleic acid probe test, which includes an enzymatic detection system, that could be used in virtually any diagnostic setting for a fast, sensitive, and accurate diagnosis of this important disease.
Anticipated Results:We envision that information obtained from these studies will eventually lead to the development and commercialization of a swine dysentery diagnostic test kit in which the diagnostician has several options of use, depending on his/her own circumstances. The development of such a test would mean that an accurate diagnosis of SD could be made quickly and simply in virtually any veterinary laboratory across the U.S., and would have an immediate impact on the pork industry.
