Glaesserella parasuis
Species of bacterium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glaesserella parasuis (formerly known as Haemophilus parasuis) is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the family Pasteurellaceae. It is best known as the causative agent of Glässer's disease in pigs.
| Glaesserella parasuis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Pasteurellales |
| Family: | Pasteurellaceae |
| Genus: | Glaesserella |
| Species: | G. parasuis |
| Binomial name | |
| Glaesserella parasuis (Biberstein & White 1969) Dickerman et al. 2020[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Haemophilus parasuis Biberstein & White 1969 | |
History and taxonomy
Originally described as Haemophilus parasuis by Biberstein and White in 1969, it was reclassified into the newly created genus Glaesserella in 2020 based on comprehensive phylogenomic analyses.[1]
Morphology
Glaesserella parasuis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Cells typically appear as short rods or coccobacilli, often forming pairs or short chains. It is non-motile and non-spore-forming.[2]
Growth conditions
The bacterium requires enriched media containing NAD (V factor) and exhibits optimal growth under aerobic conditions at 37 °C. Colonies typically appear small, smooth, and translucent on chocolate agar or blood agar supplemented with NAD.[2]
Clinical significance
Glaesserella parasuis is the causative agent of Glässer's disease, an infectious condition characterized by polyserositis (inflammation of serosal surfaces), arthritis, meningitis, and pneumonia, primarily affecting young piglets.[3]
Epidemiology
The bacterium commonly colonizes the upper respiratory tract of pigs, and outbreaks of disease typically occur when piglets are under stress or have compromised immunity, such as during weaning.[4]
Clinical signs
Affected animals may exhibit fever, respiratory distress, lameness, joint swelling, and neurological symptoms. Mortality rates can be significant without appropriate treatment or preventive measures.[3]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves clinical observations, necropsy findings (such as fibrinous polyserositis), and laboratory confirmation through bacterial isolation and molecular techniques such as PCR.[5]
Treatment and prevention
Treatment typically involves antibiotics. Preventive measures include vaccination, good biosecurity practices, and stress minimization, particularly during weaning.[4]