Clinical Presentation, Detection, and Immunopathogenesis of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae Field Isolates in Experimentally Inoculated Pigs

TL;DR

This study examines how two strains of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae affect pigs, showing differences in disease severity and immune response.

Contribution

The study reveals strain-specific differences in pathogenesis and immune response in pigs infected with Mycoplasma hyosynoviae.

Findings

Lameness was observed in inoculated pigs, with mild to moderate clinical signs.

The high-virulence strain caused lesions and was detected in synovial fluid, unlike the low-virulence strain.

Serum IgG levels increased, but only IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines were elevated at 7 days post-inoculation.

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is a significant pathogen in swine populations, contributing to polyarthritis and lameness in growing pigs. This study characterizes the clinical presentation, pathogen detection, immune response, and lesion development following experimental inoculation with two distinct M. hyosynoviae strains. Pigs were inoculated with either a low- or high-virulence strain and monitored for 18 days. Lameness was observed throughout the study, with affected pigs exhibiting mild to moderate clinical signs. M. hyosynoviae was often detected in the tonsils, while detection in oral fluids was transient. Serum IgG levels increased significantly in the inoculated groups. IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines were elevated only at 7 DPI, whereas IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels were unchanged in both inoculated groups. Notably, only pigs inoculated with the high-virulence strain developed lesions, and M. hyosynoviae was detected only in the synovial fluid by PCR from this group. These findings highlight strain-dependent differences in the pathogenesis of M. hyosynoviae. The pathological differences between these strains suggest variations in adherence factors, immune evasion capabilities, or metabolic adaptability. Further research is warranted to elucidate the genetic determinants of virulence and the protective role of humoral and cellular immune responses in M. hyosynoviae infection.

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