Streptococcus suis: An important zoonotic pathogen for human - prevention aspects

Abstract

Streptococcus suis is a major porcine pathogen, causing economical health worldwide problems in the global swine industry. It is also emerging as a zoonotic agent capable of causing severe invasive disease in humans exposed to pigs or pork products. The most important clinical sign in swine and human is meningitis, but other pathological conditions have also been described. Serotype 2 is the most commonly associated with diseases in pigs and humans, and also the most frequently reported serotype isolated from diseased animals worldwide. The majority of human infection occurs in pork handlers, particularly in slaughterhouse workers and by minor wounds or skin abrasions contaminated by raw pork or viscera of pigs. Veterinarians should also be aware that a low but real risk may be present when manipulating S. suis-diseased animals that are probably shedding high numbers of this pathogen. Up today, in Greece there is no published epidemiological data for S. suis serotypes in swine herds and the zoonotic risk of S. suis infection in human with daily contact with pigs and pork meat. However, in our experience clinical forms of S. suis infection are common in most greek swine farms. The aim of this review study is to perform recent information about S. suis infection in swine and human, focus on zoonotic risk of this emerging pathogen and prevention strategies.