Levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in extracellular body fluids of pigs may be growth-limiting for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Haemophilus parasuis.

During infection, nutrient deprivation can alter bacterial phenotype. This, in turn, may have implications for pathogenesis and prophylaxis. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (biotype 1) and Haemophilus parasuis, respiratory tract pathogens of swine, are both V-factor-dependent. The concentrations of V factor in the extracellular fluids of pigs are unknown and may limit the growth of these bacteria in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in select porcine body fluids and to compare the availability of NAD in vivo with the affinities of the organisms for this compound. Levels in plasma, tissue fluids (peritoneal, pleural, synovial, and cerebrospinal), and laryngeal, tracheal, and lung washings were determined with an enzymatic cycling assay. We concluded that, although the NAD supply in the respiratory tract is probably not growth-limiting, it may become limiting if the organisms are disseminated.