Serotyping of porcine Streptococcus suis recovered from diseased pigs in the western region of Cuba

Streptococcus suis is an important swine pathogen in most countries with intensive swine production. S. suis has also been isolated in humans and other animal species. Data regarding serotyping of S. suis isolates from diseased pigs in Cuba using a reference antiserum are not available. S. suis isolates from pigs of four farms located in the western region of Cuba were characterized by serotyping. Most of the isolates was collected from pigs with pneumonia, followed by arthritis cases. Serotypes 2, 4, 8, 15, 16 and 34 were found in isolates from diseased pigs during the period 2002-2008, while serotypes 1, ½, 2, 3, 9, 13, 23, 24 and 31were found from samples collected during 2009-2014. Serotype 2 recovered from systemic (arthritis) and localized (pneumonia) infections was the most frequent. This research sets the basis for more complete studies on the infection status of S. suis in Cuba.