Table 1 Summary of the gross pathology description of conditions studied with their most typical cause and the scoring system

Enzootic pneumonia-like lesions

A red-tan-grey discoloration, collapse, and rubbery firmness affecting cranioventral regions of the lungs in a lobular pattern. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the causal infectious agent [42].

Represent the approximate percentage of lung with consolidation. Scale from 0 to 55 in 5 steps.

Pleurisy

Fibrous/fibrinous pleural adhesions. Can be associated with Actinobacilus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella spp, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza and Haemophilus parasuis[4].

Focal areas of bronchopneumonia with overlying pleurisy often associated with A. pleuropneumoniae usually affecting the middle or caudal lung lobes [42].

Three categories represent severity of the lesion with baseline absence.

Binary, present or absent.

Milk Spots

Whitish foci, occurring in the liver stroma when Ascaris suum larvae are immobilised by the host’s inflammatory reaction [39].

Binary, present or absent.

Hepatic scarring

Mild fibrotic lesions affecting the capsule of Glisson, with no liver parenchyma alteration. Possibly associated with healed Ascaris suum lesions.

Binary, present or absent.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium, usually fibrinous. Unspecific condition that could be associated with bacterial diseases, e.g. Glasser’s disease and pasteurellosis [43].

Binary, present or absent.

Peritonitis

Fibrous/fibrinopurulent lesions typically associated with Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Escherichia coli. Serofibrinous lesions associated with Haemophilus parasuis (Glasser’s disease) and Streptococcus suis[34, 35].

Binary, present or absent.

Abscess

Localised/encapsulated collection of pus within the lung. Various pathogens involved, typically Arcanobacterium pyogenes[10].

Binary, present or absent.

Pyaemia

Multiple small abscesses in the lung parenchyma. Pyaemic spread of infection from other focus: Arcanobacterium pyogenes frequent involved [10].

Binary, present or absent.

Tail damage

Presence of old or recent tail lesions. Typically associated with tail biting [17].

Binary, present or absent.

Papular dermatitis

Reddish papules/nodules found on belly, head and buttocks or widespread across the skin, depending on the severity. This lesion is potentially associated with Sarcoptic mange [40].

Three categories: accounting for severity and distribution of the skin lesions.