In the post-weaning period we observe PRRS seroconversion with a mortality of up to 35%. The piglets present symptoms consistent with circovirosis, although the histological and serological results only indicate the presence of PRRSv. The sows are PRRS stable and the piglets are negative at birth. What could be happening? Post-weaning PRRS seroconversion is not always a consequence of producing viremic piglets but rather it is often an infection that... read more test →
Length of the quarantine: When we want to introduce negative replacements to a PRRS positive farm, the quarantine, or acclimation rather, must be long. "Long" meaning a period of not less than 2 months, because during this period our intention is to infect the new arrivals, giving them time to recover from the infection and lose their status as virus shedders before introducing them into the farm and starting to... read more test →
The answer to the question depends on whether it refers to naïve sows vaccinated against PRRS for the first time or to animals that have received multiple vaccinations with a MLV PRRS vaccine. Naïve sows vaccinated with MLV PRRS vaccine for the first time When naïve sows are vaccinated for the first time (modified live PRRS vaccine) about half of them seroconvert between 7-10 days after vaccination and by... read more test →
The PCR technique is usually very sensitive and it detects very small amounts of PRRS virus in blood or other samples, but there are some limitations to the interpretation of the results. PCR technique limitations Firstly, I would want to make sure that the gilts are confirmed PRRS virus negative in the source herd before being transported. To detect a 10% prevalence level with a 95% confidence you... read more test →
In previous posts we talked about “Together Against PRRS”, a global integrated program developed by HIPRA for the control of PRRSv. In this entry we’ll focus on the results of the systematic monitoring program and its impact on the control of PRRS on pig farms within a Spanish large production group. A total of 40 Spanish breeding herds enrolled in the program. All of them were classified following the Holtkamp... read more test →
Introducing “Together Against PRRS”: HIPRA's new program for the control of PRRS which includes systematic monitoring, biosecurity evaluation, vaccination plan design and productive and economic impact evaluation. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is still the disease with the greatest economic impact on swine production worldwide, causing significant productive and economic losses on pig farms due to reproductive failure in breeding females and respiratory distress in pigs of different... read more test →
Diagnostic tests are absolutely necessary to confirm PRRS. The most common used techniques are ELISA and PCR. PRRS Diagnostic tools The ELISA technique detects antibodies produced against the infectious agent, and the PCR technique detects the presence of genetic genetic material of the infectious agent. The first technique, in this case the ELISA for PRRS, detects the antibodies in blood for a long period of time, usually for several months... read more test →
I would recommend to include histologic investigation of lung and lymphatic tissues in the diagnostic work up. Histologic lesions can be quite indicative of the causative agent involved in the pathogenesis of disease. Also, in addition to routine H&E staining to evaluate lesions, specific staining techniques to identify pathogens - either at genomic or at protein level –within lesions can be performed like immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridisation. For the... read more test →
Pig health status is a key point to optimize results at the growing-finishing period. It would be great if pigs arrive free from economically important diseases like: PRRS, Aujeszky Disease, Enzootic Pneumonia (Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae), Pleuropneumonia (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae - App) and Atrophic Rhinitis. Controlling pig's health status it is not always an easy job. The best would be to control sow’s health status at the source farm, this can be done by... read more test →
Immunochromatography tests can be very interesting in the diagnosis of PRRS virus infection, although they are not yet common in the main pig producing countries. They are simple and fast tests that can be carried out in the field. They are based on an antibody antigen reaction that are immobilized on a test strip giving a color reaction (similar to pregnancy tests). There are some products in the market in... read more test →