Availability of a highly sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay for rapid differential detection of pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants, such as those now endemic in China, is critical to prevent huge economic losses to the US and Canadian pork industries if these strains enter North America and cause an outbreak. A single-tube triplex real-time-PCR assay for differential detection of variant strains of PRV has been developed and evaluated in a project funded by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The triplex real-time PCR assay developed in this project could be used as a rapid diagnostic tool for foreign animal disease detection in North America or for surveillance and in epidemiological studies in countries, like China, where both classical and variant strains are endemic. The assay is also able to differentiate wild-type PRV from the gE-deletion PRV mutant marker vaccines.
Author Archives: Paul Sundberg
SHIC Rapid Response Program Stays Current with Upcoming Exercise for Corps Members and Web-based Tools
The need to quickly identify, control, and eliminate a pathogen in an endemic, emerging, or transboundary production disease outbreak in the United States is crucial to protect the swine industry from suffering huge economic losses. In August 2016, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) funded development of the Rapid Response Program (RRP) to address this need, including recruitment and training of the Rapid Response Corps (RRC) who will respond in the event of an outbreak. This fall, SES, Incorporated will create and implement an exercise to provide refresher training for the RRC on the objectives, procedures, and implementation of the RRP. In addition, an ongoing project keeps the Program and Corps prepared by automating and streamlining the rapid response investigation process via a new web application for the form used by RRC members to conduct outbreak investigations. The web application will be tested in Vietnam, as part of another SHIC funded study to investigate African swine fever (ASF) virus on farms there. The intent is to use the experience in Vietnam to further develop and test the web-based version of the investigation form before it goes live in the United States.
August Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report Now Available
The Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) September Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report is available. This month’s Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report shows a similar overall case positivity for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) cases in August compared to July. Detection for these agents was within expected parameters for this time of the year. Overall, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is following an expected trend of increased detection. At the state level, detection of PRRSV was three standard deviations above expected in Missouri (MO). In the podcast, the SDRS hosts talk with Dr. Derald Holtkamp about strategies to keep disease activity low. They also discuss the economics of disease management and the value of year around biosecurity practices.
SHIC Joins AASV to Host Coccidiosis Webinar on September 3
The Swine Health Information Center and American Association of Swine Veterinarians webinar series focuses on “industry chatter” relating to swine health. Practitioners may benefit from hearing about how others are dealing with these emerging or difficult-to-manage health issues.
SHIC Joins AASV to Host Coccidiosis Webinar on September 3
The Swine Health Information Center and American Association of Swine Veterinarians webinar series focuses on “industry chatter” relating to swine health. Practitioners may benefit from hearing about how others are dealing with these emerging or difficult-to-manage health issues.
SHIC Funded Work Assesses Feed-Related Biosecurity in Feed Mills and Farms
Monitoring for Enterobacteriaceae (EBAC) within feed mills is a demonstrated way to predict the risk of Salmonella spp. also being present. Viral pathogens in swine feed are a high interest health issue but there is little information available on how the presence of EBAC correlates with viral pathogen presence, especially on farms or in feed mills. The first step is to evaluate the efficacy of mill or farm level feed biosecurity. The purpose of a study conducted by Kansas State University and funded by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) was to identify EBAC presence in the feed manufacturing facilities and farms of a multi-farm system. That information was then used as a method of identifying feed-related and other biosecurity gaps in the feed mill and on the farm. Results showed compliance with biosecurity protocols had a substantial impact of EBAC prevalence and distribution throughout the feed mill. The results also emphasize the need for producers to evaluate feed ingredients as potential swine disease vectors, using resources provided by SHIC and industry partners to examine their suitability for use in rations.
SHIC Funds Evaluation of Staged Loading for Prevention of Virus Transfer
For pigs left in the barn after a load-out event, viral contamination may be transferred from the contaminated livestock trailer, driver, or other carrying agents. Questions about how frequently this occurs, or alternative biosecurity measures to reduce frequency, remain. Consequently, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) funded a study conducted by personnel from Iowa State University to try to objectively assess these issues. The study evaluated if implementing a staged loading procedure for market pigs is effective at preventing transfer of swine pathogen contaminated particles from livestock trailers to the barn using fluorescent powder (Glo Germ) as a marking agent to be able to see traffic patterns. The study compared a conventional method of loading and a staged loading procedure. Four out of the five measuring points in the center alleyway of the barn had a level of contamination that measured significantly lower (p
SHIC Issues a Call for Proposals for Improved Oral Fluids PCR Sensitivity
Recent unpublished, observational research indicates oral fluids (OF), when collected by rope as an aggregate sample, could be a good sample for rapid detection of African swine fever virus (ASFv). However this experimental data also suggests that there is potential for false negative testing results. Therefore, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is calling for proposals to develop methods to improve the detection of low levels of nucleic acid in OF through enhancements to sample pre-extraction treatment(s) or through improved extraction methodologies compatible with the high throughput testing currently done in NAHLN laboratories.
SHIC Sponsored Research in Vietnam Looks at Risk of ASF Transmission via Boar Studs
The common practice of artificial insemination (AI) in pork production often involves outside equipment, specialized crews, and off-site boar studs. Because AI has been linked to the spread of several pig disease outbreaks, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is using USDA-FAS grant funds to sponsor research in Vietnam on the risk of introducing African swine fever (ASF) via this route. Specifically, the study will examine potential introduction of ASF to a sow farm as a result of semen movement from apparently healthy boar studs located in an ASF disease control area. Conducted by a team from the University of Minnesota with academic partners from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, the study will include a pro-active risk assessment (RA) systematically evaluating the potential risk of semen movements during an outbreak. Resulting information will help the US swine industry continue to prepare for foreign animal disease issues as well as implement science-based prevention protocols.
SHIC-Funded MSHMP Sequencing Project to Give Producers Edge in Responding to Emerging Virus Strains
Recent improvements have brought the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) closer to real-time monitoring of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) sequence evolution and impact. Funded partially by the Swine Heath Information Center (SHIC), MSHMP has been adding capacity to capture diagnostic data from cooperating veterinary diagnostic labs (VDLs). The sequence acquisition process has been organized, and simplified, making sequence monitoring reality. Next, the real-time monitoring component will be developed. This data is being used to develop analytic methods for understanding PRRSV, giving producers the opportunity to respond to emerging, highly virulent strains.