Today, we are sharing a recent publication from the MSHMP team in the journal Pathogens. This project set out to gather information on how swine veterinarians use oral fluids in the USA through a nationwide survey.

Methods

• A questionnaire was created with 26 questions split into four categories: demographics, oral fluid implementation and primary use, OF sampling protocols, sample handling/processing and submission
• Survey sent to MSHMP participants and shared through the AASV newsletter

Results

• 67 complete surveys were analyzed, 91% of respondents were veterinarians
• 42 clinics or production companies representing an estimated 58 million growing pigs and 3.9 million sows
• 61% of respondents used oral fluids primarily for active surveillance (regardless of clinical signs), followed by 33% using them for passive surveillance based on the appearance of clinical signs
• 35% collected oral fluids monthly, 27% collected oral fluids weekly, and 9% as needed
• The frequency of oral fluid collection varied, mainly based on two aspects: farm type and clinical signs with Gilt Development Units collecting them more often than sow farms and nursery/finishing sites.
• 68% of respondents use one rope for every two pens and 2 ropes per barn
• One rope was typically used for a median of 500 pigs in the airspace

Abstract

Oral fluid sampling has been widely adopted in swine health surveillance, offering an effective and cost-effective method for monitoring endemic and emerging diseases. This study characterized oral fluid sampling practices within U.S. pig production systems. An online questionnaire was conducted between June and October 2023, targeting swine practitioners, to collect data on implementation, usage, sampling protocols, and handling procedures. A total of 67 valid responses were received, representing an estimated 58M growing pigs and 3.9M sows. Nearly all respondents (99%) reported being familiar with or using oral fluid sampling for diagnostic purposes. The median of ropes hung per barn was two (interquartile range [IQR]: 1; 4), with 68% using one rope per two pens. The median of pens sampled per barn was six (IQR: 4; 10). Pigs typically accessed the rope for a median of 20 min (IQR: 17.5; 30). Sampling frequency varied by farm types. Half of gilt-development-unit (GDU) respondents collected samples monthly. When submitting samples to the veterinary diagnostic laboratories, pig age (91%) was the most frequently included information. This study reveals the widespread and varied adoption of oral fluid sampling, highlighting the need for standardized collection procedures to support consistent interpretation and improve reliability for detecting emerging pathogens.