Evaluation of the diagnosis of perihepatitis in swine after slaughter and relationship with the levels of liver enzymes

Abstract

The liver is an organ with a differential value on the market. However, due to its metabolic functions it is susceptible to various types of alterations, including a large rate of disposal by perihepatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of perihepatitis by the Federal Inspection Service (FIS), according to histopathological examination and correlate these findings with plasmatic concentrations of AST and GGT. One hundred and fifty four culled sows of the Landrace breed were used. Slaughter was performed by the method of desensitization by electrical stimulation and subsequent exsanguination. Then 5 mL of whole blood was collected to evaluate concentrations of GGT and AST. During evisceration, liver condition was assessed by visual inspection and classified as good or condemned by perihepatitis. Also, fragments of the liver were collected to histopathologic examination. The alterations in the liver parenchyma were classified as degenerative, inflammatory or reparative. The alterations found in liver tissues, considered as perihepatitis by visual inspection, were often due to fibrosis, fatty degeneration or mild hepatitis. The serum concentrations of GGT were high. Moreover, it concentrations were higher in livers with lesions of inflammatory and degenerative nature when compared to livers without injuries (p<0.05). However, the same was not observed for AST concentrations (p>0.05). Concluding, the perihepatitis diagnosis from the FIS showed low specificity and sensitivity, and the enzyme GGT was a good indicator of liver injuries in swine.