ICVA Swine Production Medicine 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vaccination strategy is most effective for controlling Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in a continuous-flow growing facility?
- Vaccinating only sows at farrowing
- Two-dose piglet vaccination at 1 and 3 weeks of age (Correct answer)
- Vaccinating only boars in the herd
- One-time mass vaccination of all adults annually
Correct answer: Two-dose piglet vaccination at 1 and 3 weeks of age
A two-dose vaccination protocol starting at 1 week of age provides optimal protection against M. hyopneumoniae-associated enzootic pneumonia in growing pigs.
Question 2: In swine biosecurity, what does 'all-in/all-out' (AIAO) flow primarily prevent?
- Nutritional deficiencies between age groups
- Pathogen cycling between older and younger age groups (Correct answer)
- Genetic diversity loss in the herd
- Overcrowding in gestation stalls
Correct answer: Pathogen cycling between older and younger age groups
AIAO management prevents older, infected pigs from continuously exposing younger, naïve pigs to pathogens, breaking disease transmission cycles.
Question 3: Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is primarily associated with which pathogen?
- Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) (Correct answer)
- Porcine parvovirus (PPV)
- Swine influenza virus (SIV)
- Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV)
Correct answer: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)
PMWS is primarily associated with PCV2, causing wasting, lymphadenopathy, and immunosuppression in post-weaned pigs.
Question 4: Which disinfectant class is most effective against porcine parvovirus due to its non-enveloped nature?
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- Chlorhexidine gluconate
- Glutaraldehyde or bleach (sodium hypochlorite) (Correct answer)
- Enveloped-virus-specific surfactants
Correct answer: Glutaraldehyde or bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
Non-enveloped viruses like PPV are resistant to many disinfectants but are susceptible to aldehydes and oxidizing agents like sodium hypochlorite.
Question 5: What is the primary route of transmission of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in swine herds?
- Airborne transmission only
- Direct contact with infected pigs and contaminated feed/fomites (Correct answer)
- Mosquito vector transmission exclusively
- Vertical transmission from sow to piglets
Correct answer: Direct contact with infected pigs and contaminated feed/fomites
ASF spreads primarily through direct contact with infected pigs and indirect contact via contaminated feed, equipment, and personnel (fomites).
Question 6: Greasy pig disease (exudative epidermitis) in suckling piglets is caused by which organism?
- Streptococcus suis
- Staphylococcus hyicus (Correct answer)
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
- Haemophilus parasuis
Correct answer: Staphylococcus hyicus
Staphylococcus hyicus produces exfoliative toxins that cause greasy pig disease, characterized by generalized seborrheic dermatitis in neonates.
Question 7: Which reproductive parameter best reflects overall female productivity in a commercial swine operation?
- Average litter size at birth
- Number of pigs weaned per sow per year (PSY) (Correct answer)
- Conception rate at first service
- Average sow body condition score at farrowing
Correct answer: Number of pigs weaned per sow per year (PSY)
PSY (pigs weaned per sow per year) integrates farrowing rate, litter size, pre-weaning mortality, and number of litters per year into a single productivity metric.
ICVA Swine Production Medicine 3
Which vaccination strategy is most effective for controlling Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in a continuous-flow growing facility?