Assessment of replication and virulence of attenuated pseudorabies virus in swine.

A nonclinical study was conducted to characterize the replication behavior of a modified live gE-deleted pseudorabies virus (PRV MS+1) in swine and potential for reversion to virulence after animal passages. Two to 3 week-old weaned pigs, negative for PRV, were maintained in isolation and challenged by intranasal instillation. For the first passage, 6 pigs were given 1 mL of PRV MS+1 (10(7.3)TCID(50)/mL) and 2 were necropsied at 3, 4 and 5 days post-inoculation (PI). Brain and secondary lymphoid tissues were collected, homogenized and the supernatants individually pooled for virus isolation, and PRV was recovered from each sample. No clinical signs of PRV infection were observed, but each pig had a nasal swab suspect or positive for PRV. For the second passage, 5 pigs were given 1 mL of the homogenate of mixed tissues from 1 animal in the previous passage (PRV at 10(1.9) TCID(50)/mL). At 5 days PI, all pigs were necropsied, and PRV was not recovered from their tissue homogenates or nasal swabs, and no clinical signs were observed. During a second attempt at a second passage, tissue homogenates from all pigs in the first passage (PRV at approximately 10(1.7)TCID50(50)/mL) were pooled and used to inoculate 15 pigs with 2 mL for 3 consecutive days. Ten pigs were monitored for clinical signs and seroconversion through 21 days PI, and 5 pigs were necropsied at 5 days PI. No clinical signs or PRV antibodies were detected in the 10 monitored pigs, and no PRV was recovered from the homogenates or nasal swabs of the 5 necropsied pigs. Thus, no evidence of reversion to virulence was demonstrated in pigs given the attenuated PRV.

An analysis of a presumed major outbreak of pseudorabies virus in a vaccinated sow herd.

We describe a major outbreak of pseudorabies virus (PRV) in a sow herd in which the sows were vaccinated simultaneously three times a year with a vaccine containing Bartha strain. Also in the associated rearing herd in which the gilts were vaccinated twice an outbreak of PRV occurred. The outbreak was analysed with mathematical models, statistical methods and Monte-Carlo simulation. Under the assumption that the outbreak started with one introduction of virus the reproduction ratio R(ind)--as a measure of transmission of PRV between individuals--in the sow herd was estimated with a Generalized Linear Model to be 1.6. Also under the assumption of one introduction of virus R(ind) in the rearing herd was estimated with a martingale estimator to be 1.7. Both estimates were significantly larger than 1. Mathematical analysis showed that heterogeneity in the sow herd, because of the presence of not-optimally immunized replacement sows could not be the only cause of the observed outbreak in the sow herd. With Monte-Carlo simulations, the duration of an outbreak after a single introduction of virus and R(ind) = 1.6 did not mimic the data and thus the hypothesis of a single introduction with R(ind) = 1.6 could also be rejected and R(ind) is thus, not necessarily above 1. Moreover, with statistical analysis, endemicity in the combination of herds as a cause for the observed outbreak could be rejected. Endemicity in the rearing herd alone could not be excluded. Therefore, multiple introductions from outside and most probably from the rearing herd were possibly the cause of the observed outbreak(s). The implications for eradication of pseudorabies virus were discussed.

Challenges of the final stages of the ADV eradication program.

The authors were chairpersons in the session on epidemiology and control of Aujeszky's disease (AD). In this document, they focus on several issues, such as vaccination, compliance and surveillance, which influence the eradication programs. Also, some research topics which may need attention in the future are indicated. The main conclusion is that eradication programs for AD virus have made good progress in different parts of the world and that we have the knowledge and tools to do the job. It must be realized, however, that setbacks can occur. As prevalence declines, susceptibility increases and producers may let their guard down so that the virus may spread again in susceptible areas.

Risk indicators for the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, porcine influenza viruses and Aujeszky's disease virus in slaughter pigs from fattening pig herds.

Epidemiological aspects of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh), influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses, and Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) were investigated in slaughter pigs from 50 fattening pig herds. Herd factors as potential risk indicators for respiratory disease were obtained by means of a questionnaire. At slaughter, blood samples were collected from each herd, and the proportion of seropositive pigs per herd was assessed for each of these pathogens. The median herd-level seroprevalence of the agents were: Mh 88%, H1N1 100%, H3N2 60% and ADV 90%. The percentage of herds in which all investigated fattening pigs were seronegative for these agents was: Mh 0%, H1N1 0%, H3N2 12% and ADV 18%. The percentage of herds in which all investigated fattening pigs were seropositive for these agents was: Mh 8%, H1N1 71%, H3N2 22% and ADV 40%. A positive association was found between influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses, and a negative association between influenza H3N2 virus and ADV. There were no risk indicators for the seroprevalence of Mh. Three risk indicators were associated with the seroprevalence of influenza H1N1 virus: a fully slatted floor, an increasing number of pigs in the municipality and dry feeding. Three risk indicators were found for the seroprevalence of influenza H3N2 virus: purchase of pigs from > or = two herds, an increasing number of pigs in the municipality and natural ventilation. The seroprevalence of ADV was influenced by two risk indicators: an increasing number of pig herds in the municipality and an increasing number of pigs per pen.

Economic analysis of alternative AD control programmes.

The threat imposed by its virulence brings a presumption that Aujeszky's disease (AD) must be controlled because potential losses are high. Viewed as an economic problem, the decision on whether and how to control AD hinges on comparing the costs of doing so with the benefits (in terms of reduced production losses) to be gained. Four strategies are considered: (a) doing nothing, (b) suppressing and maintaining the disease at low prevalence levels by vaccination, (c) suppressing to low levels and then eradicating by culling remaining positive animals and (d) eradicating in one step by means of a test-and-slaughter policy. The net economic merits of each strategy are examined using data derived from specific vaccination studies established in Germany and the Netherlands. A computer model is developed to estimate disease costs under different technical, epidemiological and economic assumptions, allowing the economically optimal strategies to be explored. In general no single strategy can be recommended as the 'best' for dealing with AD, since it depends on a host of factors relating to pig density, prevalence levels, production system, trade relations, etc. As usual, economic realities complicate the quest for operational simplicity in disease control. However, for the regions of high pig density studied the most economic AD control strategy is to lower herd prevalence by intensive vaccination before completing eradication by test-and-removal of remaining positive animals.

Variation in seropositivity for some respiratory disease agents in finishing pigs: epidemiological studies on some health parameters and farm and management conditions in the herds.

The relationship between the extent of seropositivity for Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App.) serotype 2 and porcine influenza (PI) viruses serotype H1N1 and H3N2 in pigs on the one hand and the health status of the pigs and some farm and management conditions in the herds on the other hand was studied in 45 pig finishing herds, all members of one integration group. The health status was assessed by the extent of clinical signs, the use of veterinary drugs and the prevalence of pathological lesions in pigs at slaughter. There was no relationship between the extent of seropositivity on the one hand and clinical signs and use of veterinary drugs on the other hand. However, there was a positive relationship between the extent of seropositivity and the percentage of pigs with lesions of the respiratory tract at slaughter. Furthermore, the study indicates that the variation in seropositivity between pigs herds is associated with management related factors that particularly influence the possibility of the spreading of viruses. A sero-epidemiological investigation in 14 pig herds with recurrent pneumonia problems revealed a high percentage of seropositive pigs per herd. Furthermore, in a large number of herds, pigs were simultaneously seropositive for ADV and App. serotype 2, for ADV and PI serotype H1N1 or for ADV and PI serotype H3N2.

Economic analysis of an epizootic of pseudorabies and subsequent production following the institution of a vaccination program in a Pennsylvania swine herd.

The economic impact of pseudorabies was examined in a commercial swine herd. At the onset of clinical signs, a modified-live virus vaccine was administered to the sow herd and repeated at 3-month intervals. According to production data from the 320-sow farrow-to-feeder unit, preweaning mortality increased twofold, and subsequently, the number of pigs weaned per litter decreased by 19% (P less than 0.005) during the 5-week epizootic. Also, the number of pigs born alive decreased by 6% during the epizootic (P less than 0.05). No significant differences in production were observed between the 6-month periods before and after the epizootic. Actual cash flow analysis for the farm under isomarket conditions revealed a decreased net return of $2.40/inventoried sow/week, which was attributed to the disease during the epizootic, and a $0.46 decrease in net return/inventoried sow/week in the postepizootic period. Most seropositive herds have clinical signs less severe than those described in this herd, and the cost of eradication of the virus from a swine herd can be in excess of $200/inventoried sow. Thus, we believe that sufficient financial incentives are not available to all swine producers to ensure their enthusiastic cooperation in the effort to eradicate pseudorabies from the US swine population.

In vitro assessment of viral antigen content in inactivated aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted vaccines.

Antigen capture enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) were developed to assess the antigenic content of inactivated aluminum hydroxide (AH) adjuvanted porcine parvovirus, pseudorabies, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis vaccines. Reference preparations of these viruses were constructed as a basis for comparison. Because AH-associated ELISA interference was largely circumvented, the need for isotopic or complex antigen-adjuvant desorption methods was eliminated. A 4-parameter logistic model related optical density to vaccine dilution. High correlation coefficients (r) were routinely achieved with commercial monovalent and polyvalent vaccines, and reference preparations. The procedure quantified antigen in both aqueous and AH-associated phases. The method may be generally applicable as a partial substitute for in vivo vaccine potency testing by allowing in vitro estimation of inactivated viral antigenic content in AH adjuvanted vaccines.