BCSE Medicine

Porcine Medicine – BCSE Study Guide

March 28, 2026 30 min read 210 views
Porcine medicine is a critical component of the BCSE examination, with Domain 4 (Medicine) representing 50-55 questions, making it the LARGEST domain on the exam.

Overview and Clinical Importance

Porcine medicine is a critical component of the BCSE examination, with Domain 4 (Medicine) representing 50-55 questions, making it the LARGEST domain on the exam. Swine diseases have significant economic impact on the global pork industry and include several reportable/foreign animal diseases. This guide covers the major viral, bacterial, and multifactorial diseases affecting swine, with emphasis on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

High-YieldThe BCSE tests practical clinical knowledge. Focus on differentiating diseases with similar presentations, understanding pathophysiology, and knowing key diagnostic tests and treatments.
Feature Details
Etiology PRRSV (Arterivirus family). Two species: PRRSV-1 (European) and PRRSV-2 (North American). High mutation rate.
Target Cells Pulmonary alveolar macrophages and intravascular macrophages. CD163 receptor is essential for infection.
Transmission Direct contact, aerosol (up to 9.1 km documented), contaminated semen (shed up to 93 days), fomites, and needles.
Reproductive Signs Late-term abortions (last trimester), premature farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses, weak-born piglets, increased preweaning mortality.
Respiratory Signs Interstitial pneumonia in nursery/finishing pigs. Decreased daily weight gain by up to 85%. Mortality 10-80% when complicated by secondary infections.
Diagnosis ELISA (detects antibodies to nucleocapsid protein - cannot predict immunity or carrier status), PCR assay (detects viral RNA), virus isolation.
Treatment No specific antiviral. Supportive care and control of secondary bacterial infections. Antimicrobials for opportunistic pathogens.
Prevention Modified live virus (MLV) vaccines (do not prevent infection but reduce viremia, lesions, clinical signs). Herd closure. Gilt acclimatization.
Disease Form Clinical Features
PCV2-SD (Systemic Disease) Formerly PMWS. Wasting, poor growth, enlarged lymph nodes, pallor, jaundice, diarrhea. Affects post-weaning pigs (5-12 weeks). Mortality can reach 10-30%.
PCV2-SI (Subclinical Infection) Most common form. Decreased average daily weight gain without overt clinical signs. Major economic impact.
PCV2-RD (Reproductive Disease) Late-term abortions, stillbirths, mummified fetuses. Virus in fetal hearts is diagnostic.
PDNS (Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome) Red-purple macules/papules on skin (ears, hindquarters, abdomen). Enlarged kidneys with petechial hemorrhages. Type III hypersensitivity.
PCV2-LD (Lung Disease)/PRDC Component of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex. Interstitial pneumonia. Often co-infected with PRRSV, SIV, Mycoplasma.

Major Viral Diseases of Swine

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

PRRS is one of the most economically significant diseases in the global swine industry, costing an estimated $664 million annually in the United States alone. It causes both reproductive failure in breeding animals and respiratory disease in growing pigs.

MEMORY AID - PRRS Features: Think 'PRRS = Pregnancy Problems + Respiratory Ruin in Swine' - The two main manifestations are reproductive failure and respiratory disease.

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