To help meet industry need, Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University has added one more Pork Quality Assurance Plus 3.0 advisor certification session on Aug. 26. With the introduction of this new program by National Pork Board earlier this summer, all current PQA Plus advisor certifications — those done under the former 2.0 program — will expire Aug. 31. IPIC held several sessions this summer and has scheduled this final full-day session before the recertification deadline. Click here for more information.
Monthly Archives: July 2016
Virulence Studies of Different Sequence Types and Geographical Origins of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 in a Mouse Model of Infection
Multilocus sequence typing previously identified three predominant sequence types (STs) of Streptococcus suis serotype 2: ST1 strains predominate in Eurasia while North American (NA) strains are generally ST25 and ST28. However, ST25/ST28 and ST1 strains have also been isolated in Asia and NA, respectively. Using a well-standardized mouse model of infection, the virulence of strains belonging to different STs and different geographical origins was evaluated. Results demonstrated that although a certain tendency may be observed, S. suis serotype 2 virulence is difficult to predict based on ST and geographical origin alone; strains belonging to the same ST presented important differences of virulence and did not always correlate with origin. The only exception appears to be NA ST28 strains, which were generally less virulent in both systemic and central nervous system (CNS) infection models. Persistent and high levels of bacteremia accompanied by elevated CNS inflammation are required to cause meningitis. Although widely used, in vitro tests such as phagocytosis and killing assays require further standardization in order to be used as predictive tests for evaluating virulence of strains. The use of strains other than archetypal strains has increased our knowledge and understanding of the S. suis serotype 2 population dynamics. Auger JP, Fittipaldi N, Benoit-Biancamano MO, Segura M, Gottschalk M; Virulence Studies of Different Sequence Types and Geographical Origins of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 in a Mouse Model of Infection; Pathogens. 2016 Jul 11;5(3). pii: E48. doi: 10.3390/pathogens5030048. PMID: 27409640 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens5030048
Data Shows a Spike in Senecavirus A Cases
The Swine Health Monitoring Project (SHMP) was developed in 2012 to monitor the incidence of PRRS virus. It has grown in representation across the country and today includes 29 systems with approximately 1,000 sow herds and 2.6 million sows. With primary support from the Swine Health Information Center, one of its objectives is to help monitor the emergence and movement of swine diseases across the U.S. Beginning late summer last year, the SHMP started tracking the cases of Senecavirus A (Seneca Valley Virus, SVV) through reporting from the projectâs participants and the Iowa State University, University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University swine veterinary diagnostic labs.
Novel Porcine Sapelovirus Found During SHIC-funded Diagnostic Investigation
Using funds from Swine Health Information Center (SHIC)âs Support for Diagnostic Fees program, porcine sapelovirus has been implicated in an acute outbreak of atypical neurologic disease. Dr. Paulo Arruda, Iowa State University, led a team of diagnosticians (Dr. Kent Schwartz, ISU; Dr. Albert Rovira, UMN; Dr. Jerome Nietfeld, KSU) and research assistant professor Dr. Ben Hause, KSU, through the case, acting on the request of the submitting veterinarian and owner.
Volunteer Opportunity – AVMA Council on Education Site Visitors
The Council on Education (COE) is now accepting applications for veterinarians interested in serving as Site Visitors. The pool of available Site Visitors will be increased by a limited number. Applicants who are engaged in private clinical practice or non-academic practice are encouraged to apply. Site Visitors will conduct veterinary medical college accreditation site visits on behalf of the COE. The Site Visitors will carefully review the Self-Study from the institution under review, verify the information during a comprehensive site visit of the institution, and submit a report to the COE for its consideration. Site Visitors will make recommendations to the COE, but will not attend COE meetings, discuss findings, or otherwise participate in accreditation decisions.
Join Passion for Pigs in Cedar Rapids on Aug 23
“Passion for Pigs” and Veterinary Medical Center in Williamsburg, Iowa announce the 4th Annual Seminar & Trade Show, themed “Choose Success.” The event will be held from 7:30 am – 3:15 pm on August 23 in Cedar Rapids, IA at the Hotel Kirkwood Event Center. The full program is now online at www.passionforpigs.com. For discount lodging in the Passion for Pigs room block, contact the Hotel Kirkwood at 877-751-5111 before August 1. Registrations for the conference are due August 12; discounts are available for groups of three or more. To register, or for more information, go to www.passionforpigs.com or contact Executive Coordinator Julie Lolli at 660-651-0570 or julie.nevets@nevetsrv.com.
AASV Opens Exhibit Registrations for 2017 Annual Meeting
A pair of opportunities for corporate participation in the AASV 2017 Annual Meeting are now open. The association is accepting registrations for the Technical Tables Exhibit as well as submissions for the Industrial Partners oral and poster presentations. The 2017 conference will be held February 25th through the 28th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Denver, Colorado.
People on the Move: Dr. Guillermo Alvaro Minguito
As of July 6, Dr. Guillermo Alvaro Minguito began work as Field Research Manager for Smithfield Premium Genetics. Previously, Dr. Alvaro worked for three years as a veterinarian at Ibericos de Arauzo in Spain before moving to North Carolina and entering the Smithfield Manager Trainee program in 2015. Updated contact information for Dr. Alvaro is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
People on the Move: Dr. John Prickett
Dr. John Prickett has joined Brenneman Pork, Inc. in Washington, Iowa, as Director of Health. Brenneman Pork, Inc. is a fully integrated, family-run swine and grain operation in Washington County, Iowa. Updated contact information for Dr. Prickett is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Position Announcement: Swine Production Science
The University of Illinois seeks to fill a full-time, tenure-track position (9 months; 50% research, 50% teaching) for an Assistant Professor in Swine Production Science in the Department of Animal Sciences.