IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. announces the new IDEXX HerdChek PRRS X3 Antibody Test Kit for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
Monthly Archives: October 2009
Iceland Pigs Infected with A/H1N1 Virus
Pigs from a pork farm in Iceland have been infected with the A/H1N1 virus, according to reports from Reykjavik on Tuesday. This makes 10 countries reporting pandemic H1N1 influenza infection in pigs (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Northern Ireland, Norway, Singapore and the U.S.).
Vaccination Against Porcine Parvovirus Protects Against Disease, But Does Not Prevent Infection and Virus Shedding after Challenge Infection with a Heterologous Virus Strain
The demonstration of field isolates of porcine parvovirus (PPV) that differ genetically and antigenically from vaccine strains of PPV raises the question of whether the broadly used inactivated vaccines can still protect sows against the novel viruses. Ten specific-pathogen-free primiparous sows were assigned to three groups and were vaccinated with one of two vaccines based on the old vaccine strains, or served as non-vaccinated controls. After insemination, all sows were challenged with the prototype genotype 2 virus, PPV-27a, on gestation day 41; fetuses were delivered on gestation day 90 and examined for virus infection. The fetuses of the vaccinated sows were protected against disease, but both the vaccinated and the non-vaccinated sows showed a marked increase in antibody titres after challenge infection, indicating replication of the challenge virus. All sows (vaccinated and non-vaccinated) shed the challenge virus for at least 10 days after infection, with no difference in the pattern or duration of virus shedding.
Are You Aware there are Unapproved Animal Health Products on the Market?
It has come to our attention that there are a number of products available over-the-counter (OTC) for the topical treatment of wounds in livestock that have not been subjected to the FDA approval process. Use of these products in food-producing animals is illegal for producers and veterinarians even under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) which only allows for the extra-label use of APPROVED products.
Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in Diarrhoeic and Non-Diarrhoeic Piglets
Clostridium difficile is considered to be an important causative agent of porcine neonatal diarrhoea, having taken over from classic bacterial pathogens. However, there are currently no clear data concerning the prevalence of this microorganism in piglets, or about its relative distributions among diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals. In the present study, we analyzed the presence of C. difficile in rectal swabs from 780 piglets from two age groups (newborn and 1-2-month-old pigs) by means of molecular and microbiological procedures. Furthermore DNA was isolated from the bacteria in order to identify toxin A and toxin B genes.C. difficile was not found in any of the 239 samples taken from 1- to 2-month-old pigs. Bacteria were, however, recovered from 140 out of 541 newborn piglets (25.9%), including both diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals, and animals from control farms (free of diarrhoeic animals). Genes for the production of both toxins A and B were identified in 132 of the 140 isolates (A(+)B(+)). Only seven isolates, all from the same farm and from non-diarrhoeic animals, lacked both toxin genes (A(-)B(-)), while one isolate from this same group of animals was A(-)B(+).This study provides the first report comparing the prevalence of C. difficile in large numbers of diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals. There was no clear link between bacterial isolation and neonatal porcine diarrhoea.
An Overview of the SafePork 2009 International Symposium
The 8th International Symposium on the Epidemiology and Control of Foodborne Pathogens in Pork (SafePork 2009) was recently held in Quebec City, Canada. The attendance included over 160 people from many different countries. The symposium started with two guest speakers that discussed the current status and future challenges of the control of public health hazards in pork (Dr. Katarina Stark, from the Royal Veterinary College, London, UK), and the tradeoffs of applied interventions and food safety risk analysis (Dr. Scott Hurd, from Iowa State University, Ames, USA). A total of 105 studies were presented (60 oral and 45 poster presentations) in scientific sessions organized according to the following areas: Foodborne pathogen epidemiology and control strategies;Spatial epidemiology, risk factors and modeling;Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of infection;Viruses, parasites and emerging issues;Antimicrobial resistance and reduction of antimicrobial agents use; andRisk assessment and public health.
Russia may Lose One Million Pigs to ASF
Due to the spread of the African Swine Fever, throughout the territory of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture is considering the possibility of transferring pig farms to closed operation mode.
Position Announcement: Swine Veterinarian
As part of Pfizer Inc., a Fortune 100 Company, Pfizer Animal Health (PAH) is a world leader in the animal health industry. We are currently seeking a Swine Veterinarian in Des Moines, Iowa, or the surrounding area to support and enhance our business.
People on the Move: Dr. Amy Woods
Dr. Amy Woods recently accepted a swine veterinary position with Advanced Veterinary Services in Wolcott, Indiana. She was formerly employed by Rensselaer Swine Service in Rensselaer, Ind. Updated contact information for Dr. Woods 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.
Annual Advancement in PRRS Research Award
Despite years of hard work by scientists, researchers, practicing veterinarians, pork producers, animal health companies, and others, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) remains a costly, frustrating challenge to the global swine industry.