North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

What is a common complication in pigs due to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections?

1. Fetal malformations

2. Exudative bronchopneumonia

3. Hemorrhagic diathesis

4. Acute mastitis

The correct answer is: Exudative bronchopneumonia

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is known to be a significant pathogen in pigs, particularly associated with pleuropneumonia and leading to chronic respiratory disease. When an infection occurs, it primarily affects the respiratory tract, resulting in various degrees of lung damage and inflammation. The common complication associated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in pigs is exudative bronchopneumonia. This condition develops as the immune response to the infection leads to inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, characterized by the accumulation of fluid, protein, and immune cells in the alveoli. Over time, this can progress to pneumonia that is marked by exudation, producing clinical signs such as a persistent cough, dyspnea, and reduced growth performance in affected animals. The other options listed do not commonly arise directly from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections. Fetal malformations, for example, are generally associated with different infectious agents or environmental factors. Hemorrhagic diathesis and acute mastitis are conditions more commonly linked to diverse pathogens or underlying issues unrelated to Mycoplasma infections. Hence, understanding the pathophysiology of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae helps