First report of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae seroprevalence in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China

The present study examined the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaeinfection in Tibetan pigs in China for the first time. Serum samples were collected randomly from 423 Tibetan pigs of different categories in Nyingchi county and Mainling County, Tibet, China from April to December 2010, and then tested for the presence of antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae by double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that 249 (58.86%) Tibetan pigs were tested positive and the seroprevalence ranged from 25.00 to 75.00% in different age type groups. There was a higher seroprevalence in Mainling (78.97%) than in Nyingchi (41.67%). There was no significant difference in M. hyopneumoniae seroprevalence between male (59.54%) and female (51.41%) Tibetan pigs. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the Tibetan pigs are highly susceptible to M. hyopneumoniae, similar to that of the lowland domestic pigs. With the tendency of Tibetan pigs being bred in more places besides Tibet, the prevention and control of M. hyopneumoniae infection in Tibetan pigs should be carried out.   Key words: Tibet, Tibetan pigs, seroprevalence, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, enzootic pneumonia.