Diagnostic notes |
Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome: A new condition to include in the differential diagnosis list for skin discoloration in swine
C. Oliver Duran, DVM, PhD, MRCVS; José A. Ramos-Vara, DVM, PhD; James A. Render, DVM, PhD
COD: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, A201 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1314; e-mail: duranoli@msu.cvm.edu; JAR-V, JAR: Michigan State University, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
Diagnostic notes are not refereed
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Summary
A previously unreported condition in the United States, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), has been described in growing pigs in Michigan. PDNS has low morbidity--less than 1% of the pigs affected--but a high mortality rate. Clinically, most affected pigs develop multifocal erythematous lesions on the distal extremities and ventrum. Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome should be considered as a cause of skin discoloration in growing pigs from 5-100 kg (10-220 lb), to be distinguished from lesions related to septicemia, cyanosis of the extremities, erysipelas, or generalized erythema. The causes and pathogenesis of PDNS remain unclear.
Keywords: swine, diagnosis, dermatitis, nephropathy, skin
Recently, we have observed a condition new in the United States, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), diagnosed in pigs from two herds in Michigan. Both herds have different genetics and management, but were faced with outbreaks of respiratory disease coinciding with the diagnosis of PDNS.
Herd A is a 200-sow, farrow-to-finish operation that used total confinement and all-in-all-out (AIAO) by room. This herd was serologically positive to porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV), but had no clinical manifestations of infection. Mortality in finishing pigs was due to pleuropneumonia (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae).
Herd B was a 1400-sow, farrow-to-feeder pig operation, with a separate onsite nursery. Pig flow was AIAO by room, and sows and piglets were housed in confinement on slatted floors. Herd B had been affected by an acute outbreak of PRRS, and had continued postweaning respiratory disease problems in the nursery caused by viral and bacterial agents (Pasteurella multocida, Haemophilus parasuis, Streptococcus suis).
The prevalence of PDNS in both herds was below 0.5%. Seven acute cases and two recovering cases were examined at the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University.
Clinical signs of PDNS
Pigs affected with PDNS are usually detected toward the end of the nursery phase or at the grower stage, but PDNS has also been described in finishing pigs and replacement gilts.1,2 The first signs reported to us were skin lesions that were multifocal, well-circumscribed, slightly raised, dark red, circular to irregular, and 1mm-2cm in diameter. These lesions occurred over the ham, ventral abdomen, and groin (Figures 1 and 2). [Figure 1 as 79k JPEG] [Figure 2 as 129k JPEG] At this stage, the mildly affected pigs were afebrile and alert, and would continue to eat. In some pigs, the lesions coalesced and spread to other areas of the skin, such as the flank, ears, and thorax (Figure 3) [Figure 3 as 159k JPEG] , and in some cases, skin lesions resolved spontaneously. Shortly after the appearance of the skin lesions, pigs that were pyretic, with rectal temperatures <= 41 degrees C (106 degrees F), displayed clinical signs of anorexia, severe weight loss, and depression and these pigs rapidly died. Although the producers administered antibiotics, it did not appear to prevent deaths or accelerate the resolution of the skin lesions in the Michigan herds, an observation consistent with the literature.2,3 In the cases seen in Michigan, there was no swelling of the lower limbs or evidence of subcutaneous edema, but these have been described as typical findings in reports elsewhere.1,2 In some "chronic" cases of PDNS, the lesions scabbed over during the resolution phase. Evidence of renal failure (elevated concentrations of blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine concentrations in blood) was observed in one case in Michigan.
Pathological and microbiological findings
Gross findings in the seven cases of acute PDNS we examined were confined primarily to the skin, but upon careful examination of the surface of the kidney we observed red circular areas, 1 mm in diameter, in the renal pelvis. Other lesions were detected in the lungs (three pigs had suppurative bronchopneumonia, two had pleuritis, and two had pulmonary edema). Gastric ulceration was observed in two pigs and enlargement of superficial and renal lymph nodes in four pigs. Microscopically, the principal lesion in PDNS was the presence of a severe, fibrinoid, necrotizing vasculitis affecting the dermis, subcutis (Figures 4 and 5) [Figure 4 as 302k JPEG] [Figure 5 as 246k JPEG] , and the renal pelvis and medulla (Figure 6) [Figure 6 as 224k JPEG] . Curiously, eosinophils were not uncommon as part of the vascular inflammatory infiltrate, especially in the kidneys. Another lesion consistently found was an acute, diffuse, global exudative necrotizing glomerulonephritis (Figure 7) [Figure 7 as 234k JPEG] .
Vasculitis of gastric and lymph node vessels was observed in two pigs. Cutaneous lesions in the chronic stage included exudative dermatitis and vasculitis with secondary bacterial infection. Chronic renal lesions were membranous glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis with fibrosis.
We did not find a common etiologic agent in this series of cases of PDNS. Haemophilus parasuis was isolated from the joint in two cases presenting polyserositis. Bacterial culture of lung tissue yielded Actinomyces pyogenes, P. multocida, H. parasuis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Salmonella spp., and Leptospira spp. were not detected from the skin or viscera. Tissues examined by fluorescent-antibody test, immunohistochemistry, and virus isolation were negative for PRRSV, although the serum of one live pig had a positive titer for PRRSV. All tissues examined were also negative for swine influenza virus, pseudorabies virus, and encephalomyocarditis virus.
Discussion
The pathogenesis and etiology of PDNS remains untexplained at present. The histological presentation suggests an immune-mediated insult to the vascular endothelium by immune complex deposit, or by direct damage to the vascular endothelium by an unknown agent. Nakajima, et al.,4 suggested that damage to the vascular wall could be due to lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria. Recently, a necrotizing vasculitis in the kidney has been described after experimental challenge with a strain of PRRSV in pigs5 and the presence of PRRSV antigen has been detected in the myocardial endothelial cells.6 Based on these facts and evidence of infection in affected herds, Segalés, et al., have postulated that PDNS is closely linked with PRRSV.3 In human vasculitides, similar pathological damage may be caused by different infectious agents.7
Differential diagnosis
There are several other diseases and conditions that can cause erythema (red discoloration of the skin) or skin discoloration secondary to clinical signs observed in other systems. The list for differential diagnosis includes:
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: Swine erysipelas presents in the acute form with the characteristic "diamond skin" lesions and can be differentiated from PDNS by different gross lesions as well as by the response to treatment with penicillin. It is typically confirmed by bacterial culture.
- Bacterial infections (Actinobacillus suis, A. pleuropneumoniae, and S. suis) and septicemia cause generalized reddish discoloration of the skin, but changes are usually transitory, diffuse, and not as multifocal as skin changes described in PDNS.
- Infection with H. parasuis, A. suis, swine erysipelas, and salmonellosis can cause cyanosis and congestion affecting extremities, with petechial hemorrhages and congestion of various organs. These diseases usually have a higher morbidity than that seen in PDNS and can be confirmed by bacterial culture and by the presence of bacterial emboli in superficial blood vessels.
- Transit erythema, related to urine-soaked floors or chemical burns.
- Porcine stress syndrome, where a generalized blotchy bluish or red discoloration of the skin is very apparent shortly after handling or other stressors.
Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome is a disease with a low prevalence in swine herds, and therefore has a low impact on the profitability of swine farms. This paper illustrates to swine practitioners and diagnosticians the clinical and pathological presentation of this condition, previously unreported in the United States. Treatment with antimicrobial agents such as tetracycline and penicillin in this and other reported cases1,3 has been unsuccessful in reducing mortality and accelerating the resolution of skin lesions; thus, antibiotic therapy in cases of PDNS is probably useless.
References
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3. Segalés J, Piella J, Marco E, Domingo M. Clinico-pathological findings related with the first description in Spain of porcine dermatitis/nephropathy syndrome. Proc 14th IPVS. Bologna, Italy. 1996; 709.
4. Nakajima Y, Ishikawa Y, Momotani E, Takahashi K, Madarane H, Ito A, Ueda H, Wada M, Takahashi H. A comparison of central nervous lesions directly induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide in piglets, calves, rabbits, and mice. J Comp Pathol. 1991; 104: 57.
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6. Halbur PG, Paul PS, Frey ML, Landgraf J, Eernise K, Meng XJ, Andrews JJ, Lum MA, Rathje JA. Comparison of the antigen distribution of two US porcine reprodutctive and respiratory syndrome virus isolates with that of the Lelystad virus. Vet Pathol. 1996; 33(2):159.
7. Somer T, Finegold M. Vasculitides associated with infections, immunizations, and antimicrobial drugs. Clin Infec Dis. 1995; 20:1010.