The problems addressed by PIGSs (Program for Innovative Global prevention of Streptococcus suis) are the major economic losses to the pig production industry worldwide and the animal health burden caused by infections with the bacterium Streptococcus suis. This pathogen can cause invasive disease in pigs with symptoms such as acute sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, pneumonia and arthritis often being reported. Almost 100% of pig farms worldwide have carrier animals. Whether or not S. suis causes disease in pigs depends on pathogen factors, hosts factors, environmental factors and their interactions. It depends on the genetic constitution of the microbial pathogen as well as on the susceptibility of the host which can be influenced by co-infection, age, immunity, microbiota etc. In addition, environmental factors such as stress and hygiene factors may influence the interaction by altering host or microbiota or ‘behaviour’ (referring to a neutral commensal carriage - or virulent state) of the pathogen. This knowledge will be used to develop innovations for disease prevention through vaccination, promoting colonization resistance to S. suis and stimulating innate immunity in young piglets. Additionally, the knowledge generated will lead to the development of diagnostic markers for disease-causing strains which will for the first time make it possible to study infection dynamics on farms and identify risk factors in farming practices as well as strategies to prevent or control disease outbreaks. A major goal of the PIGSs project is to increase our understanding of the host-pathogen-environment interactions in S. suis infections in pigs, and thereby strengthening the evidence base for new innovations and effective prevention and control strategies.
