A typical clinical sign of Brachyspira infection in swine is?

A typical clinical sign of Brachyspira infection in swine is?

• A. Severe coughing and nasal discharge
• B. Mucohemorrhagic diarrhea with mucus and blood
• C. Lameness
• D. Neurological signs

Answer: (B)

The central idea is that swine dysentery caused by Brachyspira manifests as mucohemorrhagic diarrhea. The organism targets the large intestine and triggers marked inflammation, leading to stools that are rich in mucus and often contain blood, sometimes with straining and weight loss. This pattern is distinct from other systems: respiratory infections cause coughing and nasal discharge; joint or limb problems cause lameness; and nervous system issues produce neurological signs. So the mucohemorrhagic diarrhea with mucus and blood is the classic sign that points to Brachyspira infection in swine.

The central idea is that swine dysentery caused by Brachyspira manifests as mucohemorrhagic diarrhea. The organism targets the large intestine and triggers marked inflammation, leading to stools that are rich in mucus and often contain blood, sometimes with straining and weight loss. This pattern is distinct from other systems: respiratory infections cause coughing and nasal discharge; joint or limb problems cause lameness; and nervous system issues produce neurological signs. So the mucohemorrhagic diarrhea with mucus and blood is the classic sign that points to Brachyspira infection in swine.