A recent report from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota regarding an apparent failure to detect a newly emerging PRRS virus has raised concerns regarding the sensitivity of some current diagnostic tests. The 3-4-2 PRRS virus was not detected by NAEU Taqman PCR routinely used at the diagnostic lab although it was later detected by a commercially available Ambion PCR test, Also, at that time, it was stated that the new strain was “hit and missed by the Tetracore test suggesting lower test sensitivity in pooled samples.”
Monthly Archives: September 2009
Michigan House Passes Animal-care Legislation
Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives voted 87-20 to pass farm animal welfare legislation. The measure had been approved by the body’s Agriculture Committee earlier this summer, following a few modifications to the original bill. The bill now heads to the Michigan Senate.
Pigs and Pandemic Influenza: Myths versus Facts
Pigs and Pandemic Influenza: Myths versus Facts was the title of Dr. Kristien Van Reeth’s Pijoan Lecture during the 2009 Al Leman Swine Conference. Dr. Van Reeth, from the faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University in Belgium, gave a very concise and informative presentation on the role of pigs in influenza pandemics. Her presentation casts doubt on the theory of the pig as a mixing vessel for influenza viruses and questions the significance of the pig’s role in the emergence or future transmission of the novel 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus.
Position Announcement: Swine Veterinarian
M2P2, LLC is seeking a full-time swine veterinarian to serve as a system veterinarian for its farrow to finish operations. Candidates must be willing to travel to locations in Iowa, Colorado, Oklahoma, and North Carolina.
People on the Move: Dr. Cesar Caballero
Dr. Cesar Caballero has accepted a position as Swine Technical Consultant with Bio Agri Mix LP, a Canadian manufacturer of feed additives for the livestock industry. He will provide technical support to the sales and marketing organization for the Bio Agri Mix Swine Business Unit in Canada. Dr. Caballero was formerly employed by Alpharma Animal Health Canada. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Tolima in Colombia, and his Doctorate in Veterinary Science (DVSc) from the University of Guelph in Canada with a major in swine health management. Updated contact information for Dr. Caballero is available at http://www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Expression and Purification of an Anti-Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Single Chain Variable Antibody Fragment in Tobacco Plants
Low-cost recombinant antibodies could provide a new strategy to control Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) outbreaks by passive immunization of susceptible animals. In this study, a single chain variable antibody fragment (scFv) recognizing FMDV coat protein VP1 was expressed in transgenic tobacco plants. To enhance the accumulation of scFv protein, the codon-usage of a murine hybridoma-derived scFv gene was adjusted to mimic highly expressed tobacco genes and fused to an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) tag. This scFv-ELP fusion accumulated up to 0.8% of total soluble leaf protein in transgenic tobacco. To recover scFv-ELP protein from the leaf extract, a simple and scalable purification strategy was established. Purified scFv-ELP fusion was cleaved to separate the scFv portion. Finally, it was shown that the purified scFv proteins retained their capacity to bind the FMDV in the absence or presence of ELP fusion.
Sometimes the Media Gets It
AASV member and Past-president Dr. Scott Dee passed along a recent experience he had with his local newspaper. As we have seen with so much of the local and national media, most have been reluctant to move away from the misnomer “swine flu” when referring to pandemic H1N1. Tiring of the repeated inaccuracies in the Alexandria Echo Press, Dr. Dee wrote a letter of complaint and explanation to the paper’s editor.
Pathogen Exposure in Feral Swine Populations Geographically Associated with High Densities of Transitional Swine Premises and Commercial Swine Production
Surveys for evidence of exposure to pseudorabies virus (PRV), Brucella suis, swine influenza virus (SIV; human-like H1N1, reassortant type H1N1, H1N2-like H1N1 and H3N2), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV 2), and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) in feral swine (Sus scrofa) were conducted in areas where feral swine were geographically associated with high densities of transitional swine premises in South Carolina and high densities of commercial swine production in North Carolina. In South Carolina, 10/50 (20.0%), 7/50 (14.0%), and 29/49 (59.2%) feral swine tested antibody positive for PRV, B. suis, and PCV-2, respectively. Antibodies to PRRSV (0/49) and SIV (0/49) were not detected. In North Carolina, antibodies to PRV and B. suis were not detected in serum samples from 120 feral swine; however, antibodies to PRRSV (1/120 [0.8%]), PCV-2 (86/120 [71.7%]; these included 80 positives plus six suspects), and SIV (108/119 [90.7%]) were present. The presence of PRV and B. suis in South Carolina may have been due to the introduction of infected feral swine into the area or to a previous association of feral swine with infected transitional swine. Their absence in the North Carolina populations may have been due to the absence of these disease agents in the feral swine originally introduced into the area and the lack of a potential for contact with infected commercial swine. Feral swine associated with commercial swine in North Carolina may have been exposed to SIV subtypes circulating in commercial swine via airborne spread of SIV from commercial swine facilities. Feral swine seropositive for PCV-2 were prevalent in both states, which may indicate efficient transmission from commercial swine and transitional swine, or that PCV-2 is widespread in feral swine. The low prevalence of animals with antibodies against PRRSV may indicate a less-than-efficient means of transmission from commercial to feral swine. Additional epidemiologic studies are needed to understand the risks and mechanisms of transmission of disease agents among commercial, transitional, and feral swine, and the role of feral swine as reservoirs of these disease agents.
Veterinarians and Producers Consider PRRS Eradication
The AASV has met with the National Pork Board, and interested representatives of the University of Minnesota Swine Disease Eradication Center, Minnesota PRRS Task Force, swine researchers from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, interested practitioners and PRRS CAP2 researchers to discuss the feasibility of exploring a program to begin the eradication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) from the U.S. swine herd.
Piglet Diarrhea Disease – New Syndrome??
There have been a number of recent reports suggesting the possible emergence of a “new” syndrome exhibiting increased diarrheal disease in suckling pigs in France and Denmark.