Table 2.
Defined sampling points and possibility of sampling on pig fattening pens, which partially provide direct animal contact
| Animal contact | Swabs1 | ACP2 | Sampled area, 25 cm2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance door (inside) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50 cm height |
| Back wall | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50 cm height |
| Side wall | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50 cm height |
| Ceiling | No | Yes | Yes | Middle of the pen |
| Slatted floor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Middle of the pen |
| Manure area | Yes | Yes | No | 50 cm length, feces corner |
| Feeding area | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 cm in front of the trough |
| Feeding tube (upside) | No | Yes | Yes | Center above the pen |
| Nipple drinkers | Yes | Yes | No | Inner and outer tube |
| Trough (outside) | Restricted | Yes | Yes | Center, including the fold |
| Trough (inside) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Center, inner side wall |
| Manipulable material | Yes | Yes | Yes | Intensively used area |
| Window sill | No | Yes | Yes | Center |
| Feeding tube (inside) | No | Yes | No | Inner tube |
1Includes all microbiological swabs (aerobic total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing bacteria (ESBL)) and swabs for rapid tests for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and protein.
2Agar contact plates (ACP) including ACP for TVC, Dey Engley agar and violet red bile dextrose agar. ACP were not applicable to all sampling sites because of their shape.