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ISU researchers have developed an effective sampling device to collect tracheo-bronchial mucus from pigs to be used for PCR detection of pathogens such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a bacterium that causes porcine enzootic pneumonia, a highly contagious pneumonia in pigs which can lead to significant herd loss.  There are currently no commercially available sampling devices to collect tracheo-bronchial mucus from pigs to detect M. hyopneumoniae, thus field veterinarians must rely on modified tracheal catheters or artificial insemination rods, devices that have not been properly validated and often do not collect an adequate amount of mucus. 

The invention is an effective sampling device for the collection of tracheo-bronchial mucus from pigs.  The new device collects an adequate amount of mucus, resulting in higher detection sensitivity than modified tracheal catheters or artificial insemination rods, and is made of flexible low-cost materials. In addition to M. hyopneumoniae detection, the samples collected using this novel device can be used for PCR detection of other pathogens.

• Enables higher sensitivity vs. traditional catheter

• It would fill the gap for a purposely built device for optimal tracheobronchial mucus collection

• Low cost, flexible materials

Tracheobronchial mucus sampling in pigs