aerosol – Swine in Minnesota

Is PRRSV 1C.5 more airborne than other variants?

Picture of an industrial fan generated by AI — Photo by Layla, generated with AI

The rapid spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus variant 1C.5 (aka L1C 1-4-4) a few years ago prompted the question whether this newly identified PRRSV variant was more transmissible through the air than other endemic variants circulating at that time in pigs.

The Torremorell research lab, in collaboration with faculty in the Swine Group at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and faculty in Mechanical Engineering sought to answer the question whether aerosolization of clinically relevant PRRS virus differs among variants and if so, are the differences due to the particle size, load and viability of virus-laden aerosols, and whether infected pigs with different clinical affectation differ in their ability to generate airborne viruses. To address this question, we systematically evaluated the stability of variants in experimentally generated aerosols and also compared levels and trends of virus-laden particles in aerosols collected from experimentally infected pigs.

Featured abstracts of 27th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress – Leipzig Germany, June 4-7, 2024 – Part 2

The International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS) is an association of pig health and production specialists founded in 1967. Since 1972, congresses have been held every other year. Recently, the 27^th IPVS Congress was held in Leipzig, Germany. The 28^th Congress is scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2026, and the 29^th Congress is scheduled for Minneapolis, United States in 2028. The objectives of the IPVS are 1) the holding of international congresses for the exchange of knowledge related to pig health and production; and 2) the promotion of the formation of Pig Veterinary Societies in all pig-producing countries and the promotion of cooperation between such societies. We have selected some examples of the work presented at the recent IPVS and share them with you on this and last week’s science page.

Control technologies to prevent aerosol-based disease transmission in animal agriculture

This week, we are sharing a new publication from the Torremorell lab reviewing emerging and currently used technologies to control disease transmission through aerosols.

Image by PublicDomainArchive from Pixabay

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.

Aerosol Detection and Transmission of PRRSv: What Is the Evidence, and What Are the Knowledge Gaps?

Aerosol transmission of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus is a major issue hog producers have had to deal with for several decades now. It encouraged the development of air filtration systems in farrow-to-wean farms as well as the isolation of high-value genetic lines in remote areas. This new publication, a collaboration between Dr. Arruda at the Ohio State University and Drs. Corzo and Torremorell from the University of Minnesota is a review of our knowledge of how PRRS is transmitted via aerosol.