Comparison of samplers collecting airborne influenza viruses: 1. Primarily impingers and cyclones

Researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine are publishing a series of articles in PLOS ONE comparing the various air samplers used to detect airborne viruses such as influenza. This first publication, available in open access, focuses on impingers and cyclones.

Highlights

Higher quantities of virus were recovered by high flow rate samplers
Lower flow rate samplers performed better when virus concentrations were high
Based on the question of interest, a different air sampler might be more efficient.

Impact of nurse sows on influenza A virus transmission

A study by the Torremorell group was recently published in the Preventive Veterinary Medicine Journal. In this publication, Dr. Jorge Garrido-Mantilla et al. evaluated if piglets put together with a nurse sow were more likely to be influenza A positive and conversely, if a nurse sow could become infected when adopting a litter of positive piglets.

Multiple vaccinations: what effect on M. hyopneumoniae infection?

Dr. Betlach and the team from the MycoLab recently published a study in the journal Vaccine, regarding the impact of multiple vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. They assessed bacterial load and protection against infection in gilts.

Highlights

Vaccination against M. hyopneumoniae reduced bacterial load in infected gilts.
Vaccination of both infected and contact gilts reduced M. hyopneumoniae transmission.
Genetic diversity of M. hyopneumoniae was not influenced by vaccination.

Mycoplasmas in swine: a new comprehensive book

Dr. Maria Pieters, head of the MycoLab at the University of Minnesota has edited, in collaboration with Drs. Dominiek Maes and Marina Sibila, a newly published book on swine Mycoplasmas. Mycoplasmas in Swine provides up-to-date scientific, clinical and practical information useful to scientists and veterinarians alike. Most emphasis has been placed on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, as this is economically the most important Mycoplasma sp. in swine. However, other pathogenic species like Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Mycoplasma hyosynoviae and Mycoplasma suis are discussed.

Vet Student Attitudes about Swine Change after Lecture and Farm Visit

In this new publication from the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, Dr. Perle Zhitnitskiy from the UMN swine group, in collaboration with Dr. Beth Ventura explores the impact that various educational initiatives have on first-year veterinary students attitudes towards swine production.

Key Points

First-year students undergo 1-hour lecture and one farm visit in their first year of the curriculum.
Knowledge and attitudes towards pigs improved after the educational initiatives.
Students became more segmented in their overall view of swine production.
Provision of enrichment did not increase students’ satisfaction with the level of animal welfare on the farm.