North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

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What is the recommended treatment for pigs showing signs of erysipelas, such as fever and skin blotches?

  1. Penicillin

  2. Gentamicin

  3. Streptomycin

  4. Metronidazole

The correct answer is: Penicillin

The recommended treatment for pigs showing signs of erysipelas, such as fever and skin blotches, is penicillin. Erysipelas in pigs is commonly caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which can lead to acute severe symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, and characteristic skin lesions. Penicillin is effective against this bacterium due to its ability to inhibit cell wall synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death. Other antibiotics mentioned, such as gentamicin and streptomycin, may have variable efficacy against Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and are not typically first-line treatments for this condition. Metronidazole is primarily effective against anaerobic bacteria and is not relevant for treating erysipelas in pigs. Therefore, penicillin remains the most appropriate choice for addressing the clinical signs associated with this infection in swine.