# Swine inflammation and necrosis syndrome outbreak in Brazil: a case report

## TL;DR

A new swine disease outbreak in Brazil, called SINS, caused inflammation and necrosis in piglets, likely due to contaminated feed.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome outside Europe.

## Key findings

- 38.2% of piglets showed inflammatory lesions progressing to necrosis.
- Ergosterol in feed indicated fungal contamination as a possible cause.
- Lesion patterns varied by farrowing room, with teat necrosis affecting gilt selection.

## Abstract

The outbreak occurred in three farrowing rooms from a commercial farrow-to-wean farm with 4,600 sows located in southern Brazil. During the first week of outbreak, diarrhea and vomiting were recorded in sows, and inflammatory lesions were reported in neonatal piglets. Lesions were located on the tail, hock, perineal area, teats, vulva, male genital organs, sole, coronary band, ear, and jaw, which progressed to necrosis within few days. A total of 562 sows were evaluated for the presence of diarrhea and vomiting. Their litters, comprising 8,344 suckling piglets, were individually assessed for the presence, location and type of lesions. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of ergosterol in feed, which indicates a poor microbiological stability and fungal yeast invasion of the feed. Diarrhea was observed in 2.3% of sows. Overall, 38.2% (n = 3,190) of piglets presented lesions. In farrowing unit A, the tail and claw were the most frequently affected areas, whereas sole lesions predominated in room B and teat lesions in room C. Additionally, 12.0% of piglets born from sows with high genetic potential were not selected for replacement due to teats necrosis. This is the first case report of Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) described outside Europe. Moreover, it highlights the importance of early diagnosis and feed monitoring for the prevention of mycotoxicosis in swine, to reduce their impacts on animal welfare, gilt selection for replacement, and removal of contaminated feed from the farm.