The role of viral infections in the devolopment of respiratory disease in swine

Abstract

Susceptible categories of pigs for the occurrence of respiratory diseases are categories in postweaning and fattening. The spectrum of clinical symptoms is very wide and includes not only respiratory symptoms, but also many other symptoms that appear as a consequence of systemic disorders, depending on the type of causative agent. Cough can be of different frequency, intensity and productivity, and difficulty breathing can be of different degrees. Respiratory diseases may be accompanied by stunted growth, rough bristles, anorexia, reduced daily gain and lethargy. Disseminated systemic disorders often include symptoms suggestive of central nervous system disorders, swollen joints and lameness, followed by reproductive disorders or sudden death. Pathomorphological changes are also of different character and severity. Nonspecific factors predispose to the occurrence of initial damage or contribute to the further spread of already existing lesions. In this article, we wanted to give an overview of our research on respiratory diseases of viral etiology in pigs from commercial farms.