Monitoring Means and Results of Biosecurity in Pig Fattening Farms: Systematic Assessment of Measures in Place and Exploration of Biomarkers of Interest

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In recent times, the interest in biosecurity in pig facilities has grown exponentially due to the severe threat to the swine industry worldwide represented by epidemic pathogens and globalization. The outcomes of biosecurity have been monitored through antimicrobial use, and economic and technical performances in pig farms, but limited quantitative data are available regarding animal-based biomarkers over time as output parameters. By means of tailor-made biosecurity protocols, we monitored—over a 12-month period—the biosecurity implementation in swine farms, and described animal-based biomarkers as output parameters. The results shown by the present study suggest that a systematic evaluation of biosecurity is a useful approach to formulate a tailor-made biosecurity plan, and to monitor its implementation; biomarkers could bring insight into the outcomes of biosecurity. Moreover, the description of four farm biosecurity profiles in the present study might orient further investigation in the future on the possible link between biosecurity and lung lesions and scars at slaughter. ABSTRACT: Limited data are available regarding animal-based biomarkers over time as outcomes of biosecurity in pig farms. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the biosecurity implementation in a convenience sample of 15 swine herds, and to describe potential biomarkers of interest; inputs from a systematic evaluation of biosecurity implementation were used to develop tailor-made biosecurity protocols monitored over a 12-month period. The farms’ implementation was then described, and animal-based biomarkers were explored as output parameters. A significative biosecurity improvement was observed at the end of the study (p = 0.047), in particular in the professional zone (p = 0.012). Four clusters of farms were identified for their progress on biosecurity implementation by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA): 4/15 farms improved their biosecurity only in the professional zone, 8/15 showed scarce/null improvement of total biosecurity, 2/15 worsened their biosecurity, and 1/15 greatly improved biosecurity. The farm biosecurity profiles showing an improvement included farms with a reduction in lung lesions and scars at slaughter at the end of the study. The results suggest that a systematic evaluation of biosecurity is a useful approach to formulate tailor-made biosecurity plans and monitor their implementation; biomarkers might bring insight into the outcomes of biosecurity.