Rilievi anatomopatologici e ricerca di sangue occulto nelle feci come indicatore di ulcera gastroesofagea in suini di allevamento intensivo = Pathological findings and detection of faecal occult blood as indicator of presence of gastroesophageal ulcer in growing pigs

The gastroesophageal ulcer is an important and diffuse disease of swine causing severe economic losses in the herd. This disease has often a subclinical presentation and intra vitam diagnosis of gastroesophageal ulcer is difficult, due to lack of clinical symptoms. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of a test for the detection of fecal occult blood (Hemoccult SENSA) in swine from intensive livestock farming of the region. For the present study 30 pigs at different age were investigated. All the pigs were spontaneously died for various causes, not directly related to gastroesophageal ulcer. Test for fecal occult blood was performed by means of rectal swab from the rectal ampulla of each subject. The necropsy were mainly focused to lesions of pars oesophagea that were accurately described and scored into 5 classes, ranging from class 0 (no lesions) to class 4 (severe and hemorrhagic fatal ulcer). Other eventually present lesions were described too but do not report in the present study. Histological (Haematoxylin and Eosin stain) and histochemical examinations (PAS, Van Gieson and Warthin-Starry stains) were performed on esophageal and glandular mucosa. The morphological findings were related to the presence of blood in fecal swabs. The gastroesophageal ulcers were detected in 11 out of 30 subjects. The test for fecal occult blood was positive in 8 subjects. Among them, 5 presented gastroesophageal ulcer and 3 were free (false positive). In 6 out of 22 animals the test was negative, despite presence of gastroesophageal ulcer (false negative). In these patients Van Gieson stain allowed to assess the chronicity of the lesion. In chronic ulcers, in fact, bleeding is intermittent and it is easier missing the survey. The present study seems to indicate good perspective in application of the fecal occult blood test for early detection of gastroesophageal ulcer in swine.