Evaluation of early single dose vaccination on swine influenza A virus transmission in piglets: From experimental data to mechanistic modelling.

Swine influenza A virus (swIAV) is a major pathogen affecting pigs with a huge economic impact and potentially zoonotic. Epidemiological studies in endemically infected farms permitted to identify critical factors favoring on-farm persistence, among which maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs). Vaccination is commonly practiced in breeding herds and might be used for immunization of growing pigs at weaning. Althoughinterference between MDAs and vaccination was reported in young piglets, its impact on swIAV transmission was not yet quantified. To this aim, this study reports on a transmission experiment in piglets with or without MDAs, vaccinated with a single dose injection at four weeks of age, and challenged 17 days post-vaccination. To transpose small-scale experiments to real-life situation, estimated parameters were used in a simulation tool to assess their influence at the herd level. Based on a thorough follow-up of the infection chain during the experiment, the transmission of the swIAV challenge strain was highly dependent on the MDA status of the pigs when vaccinated. MDA-positive vaccinated animals showed a direct transmission rate 3.6-fold higher than the one obtained in vaccinated animals without MDAs, estimated to 1.2. Vaccination nevertheless reduced significantly the contribution of airborne transmission when compared with previous estimates obtained in unvaccinated animals. The integration of parameter estimates in a large-scale simulation model, representing a typical farrow-to-finish pig herd, evidenced an extended persistence of viral spread when vaccination of sows and single dose vaccination of piglets was hypothesized. When extinction was quasi-systematic at year 5 post-introduction in the absence of sow vaccination but with single dose early vaccination of piglets, the extinction probability fell down to 33% when batch-to-batch vaccination was implemented both in breeding herd and weaned piglets. These results shed light on a potential adverse effect of single dose vaccination in MDA-positive piglets, which might lead to longer persistence of the SwIAV at the herd level.

Quantification of Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected pigs using a real-time PCR assay.

The aim of the study was to quantify Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected pigs using a new qPCR assay based on the sodA gene and validated with 35 P. multocida strains, including strains isolated from pigs with pneumonia, clinically healthy pigs (nasal cavities), and human infections. The specificity of the test was verified with a collection of 60 strains of bacterial species other than P. multocida. The estimated detection threshold was 10 genome equivalents per microliter. The amplification efficiency and value of the correlation coefficients were 95.5% (±3.5%) and 0.995 (±0.005), respectively. Analysis of P. multocida suspensions in Buffered Peptone Water Broth and of samples prepared from lungs experimentally spiked with P. multocida revealed detection thresholds of 1.4CFU/µl and 8.4CFU/µl, respectively. In live pigs, experimentally-infected, approximately 105, 107 and 108genomeequivalents/ml of P. multocida DNA was detected on Day 8 post-infection in the nasal cavities, tonsils and trachea samples, respectively. In dead pigs, approximatively 107genomeequivalents/ml of P. multocida DNA was detected in the lung tissue with pneumonia. The qPCR assay's diagnostic specificity and sensitivity were 100% and 96%, respectively. This new qPCR assay should be a very useful tool for controlling enzootic pneumonia and studying the dynamics of infections in pig herds.

Preparation for emergence of an Eastern European porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strain in Western Europe: Immunization with modified live virus vaccines or a field strain confers partial protection.

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes huge economic losses for the swine industry worldwide. In the past several years, highly pathogenic strains that lead to even greater losses have emerged. For the Western European swine industry, one threat is the possible introduction of Eastern European PRRSV strains (example Lena genotype 1.3) which were shown to be more virulent than common Western resident strains under experimental conditions. To prepare for the possible emergence of this strain in Western Europe, we immunized piglets with a Western European PRRSV field strain (Finistere: Fini, genotype 1.1), a new genotype 1 commercial modified live virus (MLV) vaccine (MLV1) or a genotype 2 commercial MLV vaccine (MLV2) to evaluate and compare the level of protection that these strains conferred upon challenge with the Lena strain 4 weeks later. Results show that immunization with Fini, MLV1 or MLV2 strains shortened the Lena-induced hyperthermia. In the Fini group, a positive effect was also demonstrated in growth performance. The level of Lena viremia was reduced for all immunized groups (significantly so for Fini and MLV2). This reduction in Lena viremia was correlated with the level of Lena-specific IFNγ-secreting cells. In conclusion, we showed that a commercial MLV vaccine of genotype 1 or 2, as well as a field strain of genotype 1.1 may provide partial clinical and virological protection upon challenge with the Lena strain. The cross-protection induced by these immunizing strains was not related with the level of genetic similarity to the Lena strain. The slightly higher level of protection established with the field strain is attributed to a better cell-mediated immune response.

Escherichia coli Probiotic Strain ED1a in Pigs Has a Limited Impact on the Gut Carriage of Extended-Spectrum-ß-Lactamase-Producing E. coli.

Four trials were conducted to evaluate the impact of Escherichia coli probiotic strain ED1a administration to pigs on the gut carriage or survival in manure of extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing E. coli Groups of pigs were orally inoculated with strain E. coli M63 carrying the blaCTX-M-1 gene (n = 84) or used as a control (n = 26). In the first two trials, 24 of 40 E. coli M63-inoculated pigs were given E. coli ED1a orally for 6 days starting 8 days after oral inoculation. In the third trial, 10 E. coli M63-inoculated pigs were given either E. coli ED1a or probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 for 5 days. In the fourth trial, E. coli ED1a was given to a sow and its 12 piglets, and these 12 piglets plus 12 piglets that had not received E. coli ED1a were then inoculated with E. coli M63. Fecal shedding of cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CTX-RE) was studied by culture, and blaCTX-M-1 genes were quantified by PCR. The persistence of CTX-RE in manure samples from inoculated pigs or manure samples inoculated in vitro with E. coli M63 with or without probiotics was studied. The results showed that E. coli M63 and ED1a were good gut colonizers. The reduction in the level of fecal excretion of CTX-RE in E. coli ED1a-treated pigs compared to that in nontreated pigs was usually less than 1 log10 CFU and was mainly observed during the probiotic administration period. The results obtained with E. coli Nissle 1917 did not differ significantly from those obtained with E. coli ED1a. CTX-RE survival did not differ significantly in manure samples with or without probiotic treatment. In conclusion, under our experimental conditions, E. coli ED1a and E. coli Nissle 1917 could not durably prevent CTX-RE colonization of the pig gut.

Susceptibility of Pigs to Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Isolated from a Wild Boar.

In Europe, zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 strains mainly circulate in humans, swine and wild boar. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential transmission of a wild boar originating HEV strain (WbHEV) to swine by intravenous or oral inoculation and to study the consequences of infection of a WbHEV strain, a WbHEV strain previously passaged in a pig and a swine HEV strain after oral inoculation. Firstly, an intravenous infection was performed for which five piglets were divided into two groups with three pigs inoculated with a WbHEV field strain and two pigs inoculated with a HEV-negative swine liver homogenate. All pigs were necropsied 8, 9 and 10 days post-inoculation. Secondly, an oral infection of 56 days was performed on 12 piglets divided into four groups inoculated with a WbHEV strain, a WbHEV strain previously passaged in swine, a swine HEV strain or a HEV-negative swine liver homogenate. After intravenous inoculation, HEV RNA was detected in serum, bile, liver, spleen, duodenum, jejunum, colon, lung, gastro-hepatic lymph nodes and faeces in all infected piglets. After oral inoculation, HEV RNA was detected in serum, bile, liver, gastro-hepatic lymph nodes and faeces. Most of HEV-inoculated pigs became seropositive at day 15. This study provides experimental evidence of early viral spread throughout the organism after intravenous infection with a WbHEV strain and supports the notion that such a zoonotic strain could be transmitted via the natural faecal-oral route of infection between wild boar and pigs but also between pigs.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) modified-live vaccine reduces virus transmission in experimental conditions.

Some vaccination strategies have shown good results in reducing the clinical outcomes of PRRS. Nevertheless the effect of vaccines on viral transmission is poorly described, so we aimed to fill this gap with the present study. Twelve Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) piglets, vaccinated against PRRSv at 3 weeks of age (Porcilis PRRS ID(®), MSD), were inoculated at 31 days post-vaccination with a heterologous genogroup 1.1 strain, and put in contact with 12 vaccinated piglets during 49 days. The same protocol was carried out simultaneously with SPF non-vaccinated piglets. Piglets were monitored individually for clinical symptoms on a daily basis and individual blood samples were taken twice a week. In inoculated piglets, the genome viral load specific to the inoculated strain was reduced and viraemia shortened in vaccinated piglets (28 days versus 38 days in non vaccinated piglets). In contact pigs, the challenge strain was detected in the serum of only one vaccinated piglet whereas it was detected in all contact non-vaccinated piglets. Transmission parameters were estimated by a Bayesian analysis of transmission data in the two groups. The estimated transmission rate was 10-times lower in vaccinated than in non-vaccinated piglets and the duration of infectiousness was reduced, leading to a reproduction ratio R significantly lower (0.30 [0.05-0.96] versus 5.42 [2.94-9.04] in non vaccinated piglets). Hence, in our experimental conditions, vaccination was able to decrease considerably PRRSv spread. A complementary evaluation in field conditions would be required to identify circumstances associated with infection control failures that can be observed in pig farms.