It’s time to double-check and make sure you’re registered for the AASV 2013 Annual Meeting in San Diego! Friday, February 8 is the last day for AASV members to register at the reduced rate of $335 – after that, the registration fee increases to $370. Register online at http://ecom.aasv.org/annmtg. For more information about the meeting, scheduled for March 2-5, go to aasv.org/annmtg.
Monthly Archives: January 2013
DNA Vaccination Partially Protects against African Swine Fever Virus Lethal Challenge in the Absence of Antibodies
The lack of available vaccines against African swine fever virus (ASFV) means that the evaluation of new immunization strategies is required. Here we show that fusion of the extracellular domain of the ASFV Hemagglutinin (sHA) to p54 and p30, two immunodominant structural viral antigens, exponentially improved both the humoral and the cellular responses induced in pigs after DNA immunization. However, immunization with the resulting plasmid (pCMV-sHAPQ) did not confer protection against lethal challenge with the virulent E75 ASFV-strain. Due to the fact that CD8(+) T-cell responses are emerging as key components for ASFV protection, we designed a new plasmid construct, pCMV-UbsHAPQ, encoding the three viral determinants above mentioned (sHA, p54 and p30) fused to ubiquitin, aiming to improve Class I antigen presentation and to enhance the CTL responses induced. As expected, immunization with pCMV-UbsHAPQ induced specific T-cell responses in the absence of antibodies and, more important, protected a proportion of immunized-pigs from lethal challenge with ASFV. In contrast with control pigs, survivor animals showed a peak of CD8(+) T-cells at day 3 post-infection, coinciding with the absence of viremia at this time point. Finally, an in silico prediction of CTL peptides has allowed the identification of two SLA I-restricted 9-mer peptides within the hemagglutinin of the virus, capable of in vitro stimulating the specific secretion of IFNγ when using PBMCs from survivor pigs. Our results confirm the relevance of T-cell responses in protection against ASF and open new expectations for the future development of more efficient recombinant vaccines against this disease.
Smithfield Foods Global Hog Production Operations Moving Toward Complete Conversion to Group Housing
Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today that at the end of 2012 it had successfully transitioned 38% of pregnant sows on its company-owned farms in the United States from individual gestation stalls to group housing systems.
Effects of Two Feeder Designs and Adjustment Strategies on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Our objective was to compare effects of a conventional dry (CD, 152.4-cm-wide, 5-space, Staco Inc., Schaefferstown, PA) and a wet-dry (WD, double-sided, each side = 38.1-cm-space, Crystal Springs, GroMaster Inc., Omaha, NE) feeder using various feeder adjustment openings on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs (Sus scrofa). In Exp. 1, 1,296 pigs (BW 19 kg) were used in a 27-d study to evaluate 3 feeder openings nested within each feeder design. From d 0 to 27, pigs fed with a WD feeder had similar ADG, but lower (P < 0.02) ADFI and greater G:F than pigs fed with a CD feeder. Increased adjustment opening increased (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI by pigs fed with a WD feeder, and increased (linear, P < 0.01) ADFI by pigs fed with a CD feeder. In Exp. 2, 1,248 pigs (BW 33 kg) were used to evaluate 3 feeder openings nested within each feeder design in a 93-d study. Pigs fed with a WD feeder had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, final BW, HCW, and backfat, but decreased fat-free lean index (FFLI) than those fed with a CD feeder. Increased opening of the WD feeder resulted in greater (linear, P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, HCW, and backfat, but lower FFLI. No differences among CD feeder openings were observed, and G:F did not differ among all feeder treatments. In Exp. 3, 1,287 pigs (BW 38 kg) were used in a 92-d factorial experiment with 4 feeder treatments and 2 diet types (low and high byproduct diets). Feeder treatments were CD at approximately a 2.4-cm opening, WD at a 3.2-cm opening, WD changed to a 2.5-cm opening on d 56, and WD changed to a 2.5-cm opening on d 28 and a 1.9-cm opening on d 56. Pigs fed with a WD feeder had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, HCW, and backfat, but decreased FFLI than pigs fed with a CD feeder. Decreasing the WD feeder opening during the study decreased (P < 0.05) ADG. Pigs with the WD feeder opening decreased to 1.9 cm had reduced (P < 0.05) ADFI and backfat, but increased FFLI compared with pigs with a WD feeder opening of 3.2 cm. Feed efficiency did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, ADG, ADFI, HCW, and backfat were increased with the WD feeder evaluated in this experiment, but the growth of pigs fed with a WD feeder was more sensitive to differences in feeder adjustment than that of pigs fed with a CD feeder.
New Species of Brachyspira Responsible for Most New Swine Dysentery Cases
A professor with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine reports a new species of Brachyspira can be blamed for the bulk of cases of swine dysentery being reported in Canada and the U.S. today. Swine Dysentery, a bloody diarrhea, that affects grow-finish pigs typically over 12 weeks of age, is caused by a bacteria of the genus Brachyspira and a number of species within that genus will cause infection.
Murray Named Vet to Watch by VPN
Veterinary Practice News marks its 25th anniversary this year. In observance of that milestone, the magazineâs editors identified 25 up-and-coming veterinarians who, through skill, talent and perseverance, are poised to do great things for veterinary medicine. Dr. Deborah Murray was recognized for her accomplishments and future contributions to veterinary medicine.
Bacterial Supplement could Help Young Pigs Fight Disease
In a study of 36 weanling-age pigs, researchers found that a dose of lipid-producing Rhodococcus opacus bacteria increased circulating triglycerides. Triglycerides are a crucial source of energy for the immune system.
AASV Committees to Meet at Annual Meeting
The AASV committees will meet again this year on Saturday morning March 2nd at the AASV Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. All committee members are encouraged to attend. The meeting times are shown in the chart below. Meeting locations and agendas will be posted on the AASV website.
Applications for 2013-2014 Pork Industry Scholarships Now Open
All juniors and seniors in college who plan to pursue a career in swine production management or a related field, or will be seeking to attend veterinary or graduate school and major in a discipline with an emphasis on swine, are invited to submit an application for consideration to receive one of the scholarships sponsored by the Pork Checkoff.
AASV Foundation Issues Call for Research Proposals
As part of its planned annual schedule, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation seeks research proposals for funding in 2013. Proposals are due February 1, 2013, and may request a maximum of $6000 per project. The selection and announcement of projects for funding will take place in March.