Prevalence of porcine respiratory pathogens in slaughterhouses in Shanxi Province, China

Prevalence, Time of Infection, and Diversity of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in China

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRVS) is a major swine viral pathogen that affects the pig industry worldwide. Control of early PRRSV infection is essential, and different types of PRRSV-positive samples can reflect the time point of PRRSV infection. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of PRRSV in China from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022, which will be beneficial for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)control in the swine production industry in the future. A total of 7518 samples (of processing fluid, weaning serum, and oral fluid) were collected from 100 intensive pig farms in 21 provinces, which covered all five pig production regions in China, on a quarterly basis starting from the fourth quarter of 2021 and ending on the fourth quarter of 2022. Independent of sample type, 32.1% (2416/7518) of the total samples were PCR-positive for PRRSV, including 73.6% (1780/2416) samples that were positive for wild PRRSV, and the remaining were positive for PRRSV vaccine strains. On the basis of the time of infection, 58.9% suckling piglets (processing fluid) and 30.8% weaning piglets (weaning serum) showed PRRSV infection at an early stage (approximately 90% of the farms). The sequencing analysis results indicate a wide range of diverse PRRSV wild strains in China, with lineage 1 as the dominant strain. Our study clearly demonstrates the prevalence, infection stage, and diversity of PRRSV in China. This study provides useful data for the epidemiological understanding of PRRSV, which can contribute to the strategic and systematic prevention and control of PRRSV in China.

Detection of Porcine Circovirus Type 2a and Pasteurella multocida Capsular Serotype D in Growing Pigs Suffering from Respiratory Disease

In order to diagnose a respiratory disease in a pig farm, the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes of three dead pigs were collected for pathogen detection by PCR and isolation on the basis of preliminary clinical diagnosis. The virus isolate was identified by gene sequence analysis and Immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). The bacterial isolate was identified by biochemical tests, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and species- and serotype-specific PCR, and the pathogenicity was analyzed. Porcine circovirus type 2a (PCV2a) genotype from the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes and Pasteurella (P.) multocida capsular serotypes D from the lungs were found. The PCV2a isolates could specifically bound the anti-PCV2-Cap polyclonal antibody. The 16S rDNA sequence of P. multocida isolates had 99.9% identity with that of the strain from cattle, and the isolate was highly pathogenic to mice. The results showed that the co-infection of PCV2a and P. Multocida capsular serotypes D should be responsible for the disease. The uncommon PCV2a is still prevalent in some pig farms besides the dominant PCV2d genotype. This study could provide important etiological information for effective control and treatment of the disease in pig farms.

Prevalence of porcine respiratory pathogens in slaughterhouses in Shanxi Province, China

Background

Porcine respiratory diseases remain the biggest challenge in pig‐based food production and are a public health concern. Despite control measures, persistent outbreaks have been reported worldwide.

Objective

To establish an early detection mechanism for pig farm disease outbreaks based on slaughterhouse risk and environmental assessment.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of porcine respiratory disease‐causing pathogens including Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse the lungs of 491 pigs from 19 slaughterhouses across 11 cities in Shanxi Province, China.

Results

PCR detected MHP, PCV2, PPRSV and HPS in 76.99%, 67.00%, 11.82% and 19.55% of the samples, respectively; 10.12% were negative for all four pathogens. Co‐positivity rates for two and three pathogens were identified. The results confirmed significant correlations between PCV2 and MHP (p = .001, p < .05), HPS and PCV2 (p = .01, p < .05) and MHP and PRRSV (p = .01, p < .05). No significant correlation was observed between HPS and MHP (p = .067, p > .05). Positive MHP and PCV2 rates were low in areas with high vegetation coverage. The overall pathogen positivity rate was higher in both lower and higher temperature environments.

Conclusions

Interactions among pathogens may increase disease severity. Furthermore, environmental assessment and pathogen surveillance within pig slaughterhouses can be an effective approach for early detection and mitigation of new disease threats before broad dissemination occurs among a herd.