Author/Editor		Mirt, Darja
Title		Proučevanje etiologije in morfogeneze tako imenovanega grizenja bokov (flank biting) pri prašičih v intenzivni reji
Translated title		An investigation into the aetiology and morphogenesis of so called flank biting in pigs in an intensive type of breeding
Type		članek
Source		Zb Vet Fak Univ Ljublj
Vol. and No.		Letnik 35, št. 1-2
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 71-9
Language		slo
Abstract		Skin lesion on the flanks were established at the age of about 10 weeks and at the age of about 12 weeks, i.e. in the ribs area, the mid-upper leg area, the shoulder srea and ruber ischii area. Skin lesions on the ear tips, known as the ear necrosis syndrome, were already detected in weaners in the whole raising period. By means of pathohistological examination 70 samples of skin from the flank area and 35 samples of skin from ear tips were examined. On the basis of the results of samples of skin lesions from the flank area we divided epidermal and dermal changes into two stages. In the milder stage we ranged epidermal changes with highly marked acanthosis, with rate ridges formed deep in the dermis and mild perivascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells in the dermis. In the more severe stage we ranged ulcers, under which infiltrates of polymorphonuclear cells prevailed. Similar pathohistological patterns were also established in samples of skin lesions taken from the ear tip area. By means of bacteriological analysis 44 smears of skin from the flank area and 22 smears of skin from ear tip area were examined. On healthy skin from the flank area as well as from the ear tip area micrococci prevailed, while on skin lesions from both areas staphylococci prevailed. Since the pathohistological changes of lesions on the flanks are identical to those in ear necrosis syndrome, which is being connected with Staphylococcus hyicus infection, the aetiopathogenesis of efflorescence on the flanks is probably the same. Infection with Staphylococcus hyicus begins at sites of trauma, which probably arise in connection with the behaviour of weaners (such as play with the tips of pigs' ears, thrusting of co-penned pigs, etc.).
Descriptors		BEHAVIOR, ANIMAL SKIN SWINE WEANING EAR, EXTERNAL STAPHYLOCOCCUS MICROCOCCUS