Background:

colibacillosis and salmonellosis are two of the catastrophic diseases in swine production. The aim of this research was to compare mortality caused by both diseases in litters and pre-fattening pigs on a swine farm.

Methods:

the data recorded on the farm for three years (2017-2019) in relation to the deaths and samples sent to the labs due to colibacillosis and salmonellosis, were used in this study. The variables included were enteropathies (salmonellosis and colibacillosis), categories (pre-fattening and litters), and mortality. The proportions of mortality were compared in all the etiology and category combinations, according to the comparison of two proportions technique.

Results:

the proportion of total mortality due to colibacillosis was highly significant (p<0.001), higher than salmonellosis. This result remained following thorough examination of the behavior of litters and pre-fattening pigs. The litters were more affected by the two diseases.

Conclusions:

The high mortality caused by colibacillosis and salmonellosis might have been associated to the absence of a vaccination scheme, timely diagnostic, and the adoption of alternative measures to promote immune response and/or at least contribute to the establishment and stability of the intestinal microbiota of litters and pre-fattening pigs.