Multiplex method for simultaneous serological detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2

Associations between Pleurisy and the Main Bacterial Pathogens of the Porcine Respiratory Diseases Complex (PRDC)

Porcine Respiratory Diseases Complex (PRDC) is a multifactorial disease that involves several bacterial pathogens, including Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae), Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida), Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis), and Streptococcus suis (S. suis). In pigs, the infection may cause lesions such pleurisy, which can lead to carcass condemnation. Hence, 1015 carcasses were selected from three different commercial pig farms, where the respiratory conditions were evaluated using slaughterhouse pleurisy evaluation system (SPES) and classified into five groups. In total, 106 pleural and lung fragments were collected for qPCR testing to identify the five abovementioned pathogens. A moderate correlation between the severity of the lesions and the presence of P. multocida (R = 0.38) and A. pleuropneumoniae (R = 0.28) was observed. Concerning the lung samples, the severity of the lesions was moderately correlated with the presence of P. multocida (R = 0.43) and M. hyopneumoniae (R = 0.35). Moreover, there was a strong correlation between the presence of P. multocida and M.hyopneumoniae in the pleura (R = 0.82). Finally, this approach may be a useful tool to identify and quantify causative agents of PRDC using qPCR, providing a comprehensive evaluation of its relevance, strength, and potential application in the field as a surveillance tool for veterinarians.

The Role of Pathology in the Diagnosis of Swine Respiratory Disease

The definition “porcine respiratory disease complex” (PRDC) is used to indicate the current approach for presenting respiratory pathology in modern pig farming. PRDC includes pneumonias with variable pictures, mixed with both aerogenous and hematogenous forms with variable etiology, often multimicrobial, and influenced by environmental and management factors. The notion that many etiological agents of swine respiratory pathology are ubiquitous in the airways is commonly understood; however, their isolation or identification is not always associable with the current pathology. In this complex context, lung lesions registered at slaughterhouse or during necropsy, and supplemented by histological investigations, must be considered as powerful tools for assigning a prominent role to etiologic agents. In recent years, the goal of colocalizing causative agents with the lesions they produce has been frequently applied, and valid examples in routine diagnostics are those that indicate pulmonary involvement during porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infections.

Development of a one-run real-time PCR detection system for pathogens associated with porcine respiratory diseases

The etiology of Porcine respiratory disease complex is complicated by infections with multiple pathogens, and multiple infections increase the difficulty in identifying the causal pathogen. In this present study, we developed a detection system of microbes from porcine respiratory by using TaqMan real-time PCR (referred to as Dempo-PCR) to screen a broad range of pathogens associated with porcine respiratory diseases in a single run. We selected 17 porcine respiratory pathogens (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Boldetella bronchiseptica, Haemophilus parasuis, Pasteurella multocida, Pasteurella multocida toxin, Streptococcus suis, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Mycoplasma hyosynovie, porcine circovirus 2, pseudorabies virus, porcine cytomegalovirus, swine influenza A virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory virus US strain, EU strain, porcine respiratory coronavirus and porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus) as detection targets and designed novel specific primer-probe sets for seven of them. In sensitivity test by using standard curves from synthesized DNA, all primer-probe sets showed high sensitivity. However, porcine reproductive and respiratory virus is known to have a high frequency of genetic mutations, and the primer and probe sequences will need to be checked at a considerable frequency when performing Dempo-PCR from field samples. A total of 30 lung samples from swine showing respiratory symptoms on six farms were tested by the Dempo-PCR to validate the assay’s clinical performance. As the results, 12 pathogens (5 virus and 7 bacteria) were detected and porcine reproductive and respiratory virus US strain, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Haemophilus parasuis, and porcine cytomegalovirus were detected at high frequency. These results suggest that Dempo-PCR assay can be applied as a screening system with wide detection targets.

Early antibody responses map to non-protective, PCV2 capsid protein epitopes

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an economically important cause of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in weanling piglets. Current commercial vaccines against PCV2 are highly effective. Yet, a recurring emergence of new genotypes in vaccinated herds necessitates a better understanding of protective immunity. The study objectives were to identify previously unrecognized decoy epitopes in the PCV2 capsid and test the hypothesis that early antibody responses would map to decoy epitopes and vice versa. Using a peptide library spanning the PCV2a capsid and weekly sera collections from PCV2a infected animals, three major immunodominant regions mapping the early responses to decoy epitopes were identified. Regions with potential decoy activity were mapped using peptide blocking fluorescent focus inhibition assays to residues 55 YTVKATTVRTPSWAVDMM 72, 106 WPCSPITQGDRGVGSTAV 123 and 124 ILDDNFVTKATALTYDPY 141. Post-vaccination responses largely recognized these same three identified regions and dominated the antibody responses to PCV2 in both infection and vaccination.

The effect of a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreak on genetic parameters and reaction norms for reproductive performance in pigs1

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of antibody response and reproductive traits after exposure to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Blood samples were taken approximately 60 d after the outbreak. Antibody levels were quantified as the sample-to-positive ratio (S/P ratio) using a fluorescent microsphere assay. Reproductive traits included total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), number stillborn (NSB), number mummified (NBM), and number born dead (NBD). Mortality traits were log transformed for genetic analyses. Data were split into prior, during, and after the disease outbreak phases using visual appraisal of the estimates of farm-year-week effects for each reproductive trait. For NBA, data from all phases were combined into a reaction norm analysis with regression on estimates of farm-year-week effects for NBA. Heritability for S/P ratio was estimated at 0.17 ± 0.05. Heritability estimates for reproduction traits were all low and were lower during the outbreak for NBA but greater for mortality traits. TNB was not greatly affected during the outbreak, as many sows that farrowed during the outbreak were mated prior to the outbreak. Heritability for TNB decreased from 0.13 (prior) to 0.08 (after). Genetic correlation estimates between prior to and during the outbreak were high for TNB (0.86 ± 0.23) and NBA (0.98 ± 0.38) but lower for mortality traits: 0.65 ± 0.43, -0.42 ± 0.55, and 0.29 ± 1.39 for LNSB, LNBM, and LNBD, respectively. TNB prior to and after the outbreak had a lower genetic correlation (0.32 ± 0.33). In general, genetic correlation estimates of S/P ratio with reproductive performance during the outbreak were below 0.20 in absolute value, except for LNSB (-0.73 ± 0.29). Based on the reaction norm model, estimates of genetic correlations between the intercept and slope terms ranged from 0.24 ± 0.50 to 0.54 ± 0.35 depending on the parameterization used, indicating that selection for the intercept may result in indirect selection for steeper slopes, and thus, less resilient animals. In general, estimates of genetic correlations between farm-year-week effect classes based on the reaction norm model resembled estimates of genetic correlations from the multivariate analysis. Overall, compared to previous studies, antibody S/P ratios showed a lower heritability (0.17 ± 0.05) and low genetic correlations with reproductive performance during a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreak, except for the LNSB.

Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Vaccines in the Context of Current Molecular Epidemiology

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is an economically important swine pathogen and, although small, it has the highest evolution rate among DNA viruses. Since the discovery of PCV2 in the late 1990s, this minimalistic virus with a 1.7 kb single-stranded DNA genome and two indispensable genes has become one of the most important porcine pathogens, and presently is subjected to the highest volume of prophylactic intervention in the form of vaccines in global swine production. PCV2 can currently be divided into five different genotypes, PCV2a through PCV2e. It is well documented that PCV2 continues to evolve, which is reflected by changes in the prevalence of genotypes. During 2006, commercial vaccines for PCV2 were introduced on a large scale in a pig population mainly infected with PCV2b. Since 2012, the PCV2d genotype has essentially replaced the previously predominant PCV2b genotype in North America and similar trends are also documented in other geographic regions such as China and South Korea. This is the second major PCV2 genotype shift since the discovery of the virus. The potential increase in virulence of the emergent PCV2 genotype and the efficacy of the current vaccines derived from PCV2a genotype against the PCV2d genotype viruses has received considerable attention. This review attempts to synthesize the understanding of PCV2 biology, experimental studies on the antigenic variability, and molecular epidemiological analysis of the evolution of PCV2 genotypes.

Novel multiplex PCR assay using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based universal primers for the simultaneous detection of five swine viruses

A novel multiplex PCR assay using non-homologous oligonucleotides with locked nucleic acid (LNA) modifications as universal primers was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection of five swine viruses. The assay utilizes five virus-specific primer pairs modified at the 5' end through the addition of the universal primer sequence. In the reaction, small amounts of target templates with the 5' tail were generated and subsequently amplified through the extension of a LNA universal primer set. To validate the specificity of this assay, 27 viral target strains and 12 non-target pathogens were tested. The lower limit of detection of viral nucleic acids was 1.1-1.9 pg per reaction or 11-32 pg in a five-plex viral nucleic acid mixture. The LNA mPCR assay displayed higher analytical sensitivity and efficiency for the detection of plasmid standards compared with the conventional assay, which uses standard primers without the 5' tail. A total of 207 field samples were tested using both assays. The LNA mPCR assay provided numerically higher detection rates for all pathogens in independent samples. Moreover, the LNA mPCR assay had significantly higher detection rates in independent samples compared with the conventional assay.

Multiplex serology for common viral infections in feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in Hawaii between 2007 and 2010

Multiplex serology was performed for the detection of total immunoglobulin (Ig) and IgM antibodies against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and swine influenza virus (SIV) antigens in feral swine (Sus scrofa). Serum samples were collected from the islands of Oahu (292 pigs) and Hawaii (52 pigs) between 2007 and 2010. The highest antibody prevalence was to PCV2 (63%), followed by SIV (7.8%) and PRRSV (5.8%). Antigen-specific IgM was detected at a much lower prevalence. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of PCV2 in three IgM-positive samples identified PCV2b as the only genotype. While the prevalence of PCV2 and PRRSV remained similar between 2007 and 2010, the percentage of SIV-positive samples on Oahu increased from 2% to 19%. Our results demonstrate the utility of multiplex serology for pathogen surveillance in feral pig populations.

Bead-based suspension array for simultaneous differential detection of five major swine viruses

A novel multiplex detection array based on Luminex xMAP technology was developed and validated for simultaneous detection of five major viruses causing swine reproductive diseases. By combining one-step asymmetric multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with xMAP bead-based hybridization and flow cytometry analysis, the resulting multiplex assay was capable of detecting single and mixed infections of PRRSV, PCV-2, PRV, CSFV, and PPV in a single reaction. The assay accurately detected and differentiated 23 viral strains used in this study. The low detection limit was determined as 2.2-22 copies/μL (corresponding to 0.5-6.8 fg/μL DNA template) on plasmid constructs containing viral fragments. The intra-assay and inter-assay variances (CV%) were low that ranged from 2.5 to 5.4 % and 4.1 to 7.6 %, respectively. The assay was applied to test field samples and detected single and mixed viral infections. The detection rate was higher than that of uniplex conventional PCR and RT-PCR methods. The detection of PRRSV by the bead-based multiplex assay was comparable with a commercially available real time RT-PCR kit. The test procedure on purified DNA or RNA samples could be completed within 2 h. In conclusion, the bead-based suspension array presented here proved to be a high-throughput practical tool that provided highly specific and sensitive identification of single and multiple infections of five major viruses in pigs and boar semen.

Acoustic trapping as a generic non-contact incubation site for multiplex bead-based assays

In this study, we show a significantly reduced assay time and a greatly increased bead recovery for a commercial Luminex-based multiplex diagnostic immunoassay by performing all liquid handling steps of the assay protocol in a non-contact acoustic trapping platform. The Luminex assay is designed for detecting antibodies in poultry serum for infectious bursal disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, Newcastle disease virus and avian reovirus. Here, we show proof-of-concept of a microfluidic system capable of being fully automated and handling samples in a parallel format with a miniature physical footprint where the affinity beads are retained in a non-contact levitated mode in a glass capillary throughout the assay protocol. The different steps are: incubation with the serum sample, secondary antibodies and fluorescent reporters and finally washing to remove any non-specifically bound species. A Luminex 200 instrument was used for the readout. The flow rates applied to the capillary during the initial trapping event and the wash steps were optimised for maximum bead recovery, resulting in a bead recovery of 75% for the complete assay. This can be compared to a bead recovery of approximately 30% when an automatic wash station was used when the assay was performed in the conventional manual format. The time for the incubation steps for a single assay was reduced by more than 50%, without affecting assay performance, since intermediate wash steps became redundant in the continuously perfused bead trapping capillary. We analyzed seven samples, in triplicates, and we can show that the readout of the assay performed in the acoustic trap compared 100% to the control ELISAs (positive or negative readout) and resulted in comparable S/P values as the conventional manual protocol. As the acoustic trapping does not require the particles to have magnetic properties, a greater degree of freedom in selecting microparticles can be provided. In extension, this can provide an opportunity to develop cheaper and more effective microparticles.

Development and validation of a 4-plex antibody assay for simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies against Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1), TTSuV2, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus types 1 and 2

A fluorescent microbead-based immunoassay (FMIA) for simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies against Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1), TTSuV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 1 (PRRSV-1) and PRRSV-2 was developed. Serum samples were obtained over time from 20 pigs. Twelve of 20 were exposed to TTSuV2 on day 0, 20/20 were vaccinated with a PRRSV-2 vaccine on day 35, and 20/20 were exposed to PRRSV-2 on day 63. Anti-TTSuV antibodies were detected in 30% of the pigs on day 0, and 90% by day 35. All PRRSV-2 vaccinated pigs had detectable anti-PRRSV-2 IgG 21 days after vaccination. Field samples from 17 farms were also tested. The seroprevalence of both PRRSV and TTSuV increased with age. Comparison of the PRRSV-2 FMIA to an ELISA revealed good correlation in young pigs but a high rate of false positives in older pigs. Cross-reaction between PRRSV types was a problem.

Comparison of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and fluorescent microbead immunoassays for detection of antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in boars

The objective of this study was to compare the ability of two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and an in-house fluorescent microbead immunoassay (FMIA) to detect IgG antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) types 1 and 2 in serum and oral fluids from boars infected experimentally. Samples from uninfected control pigs and PRRSV-negative field samples were also used. Serum samples were tested by ELISAs (IDEXX Se, HIPRA Se) and an in-house FMIA-Se for detection of PRRSV types 1 and 2. Oral fluids were tested by ELISAs (IDEXX-SO, IDEXX-OF, HIPRA-OF) for detection of PRRSV types 1 and 2. Among the sera, IDEXX-Se and HIPRA-Se had similar sensitivity and specificity (p>0.05); however, IDEXX-Se detected positive animals earlier than HIPRA-Se (p<0.05). FMIA-Se had the highest false-positive rates in known negative field samples (1/205 for IDEXX-Se, 5/205 for HIPRA-Se, and 37/205 for FMIA-Se; p<0.01). Serum and oral fluid samples had similar detection rates and antibody kinetics using the IDEXX tests. There was a higher detection rate in serum than oral fluid using the HIPRA assays. In this study, the nucleocapsid protein utilized as antigen in the FMIAs yielded a low specificity. IDEXX-Se had the earliest detection and similar sensitivity and specificity to the HIPRA-Se.

Simultaneous detection of antibodies against Apx toxins ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV in pigs with known and unknown Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae exposure using a multiplexing liquid array platform

Surveillance for the presence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in a population plays a central role in controlling the disease. In this study, a 4-plex fluorescent microbead-based immunoassay (FMIA), developed for the simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies to repeat-in-toxin (RTX) toxins (ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV) of A. pleuropneumoniae, was evaluated using (i) blood serum samples from pigs experimentally infected with each of the 15 known A. pleuropneumoniae serovars or with Actinobacillus suis, (ii) blood serum samples from pigs vaccinated with a bacterin containing A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 1, 3, 5, or 7, and (iii) blood serum samples from pigs with an unknown A. pleuropneumoniae exposure status. The results were compared to those obtained in a previous study where a dual-plate complement fixation test (CFT) and three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were conducted on the same sample set. On samples from experimentally infected pigs, the 4-plex Apx FMIA detected specific seroconversion to Apx toxins as early as 7 days postinfection in a total of 29 pigs inoculated with 14 of the 15 A. pleuropneumoniae serovars. Seroconversion to ApxII and ApxIII was detected by FMIA in pigs inoculated with A. suis. The vaccinated pigs showed poor humoral responses against ApxI, ApxII, ApxIII, and ApxIV. In the field samples, the humoral response to ApxIV and the A. pleuropneumoniae seroprevalence increased with age. This novel FMIA (with a sensitivity of 82.7% and a specificity of 100% for the anti-ApxIV antibody) was found to be more sensitive and accurate than current tests (sensitivities, 9.5 to 56%; specificity, 100%) and is potentially an improved tool for the surveillance of disease and for monitoring vaccination compliance.

Opportunities for bead-based multiplex assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

Bead-based multiplex assays (BBMAs) are applicable for high throughput, simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in solution (from several to 50–500 analytes within a single, small sample volume). Currently, few assays are commercially available for veterinary applications, but they are available to identify and measure various cytokines, growth factors and their receptors, inflammatory proteins, kinases and inhibitors, neurobiology proteins, and pathogens and antibodies in human beings, nonhuman primates, and rodent species. In veterinary medicine, various nucleic acid and protein-coupled beads can be used in, or for the development of, antigen and antibody BBMAs, with the advantage that more data can be collected using approximately the same amount of labor as used for other antigen and antibody assays. Veterinary-related BBMAs could be used for detection of pathogens, genotyping, measurement of hormone levels, and in disease surveillance and vaccine assessment. It will be important to evaluate whether BBMAs are “fit for purpose,” how costs and efficiencies compare between assays, which assays are published or commercially available for specific veterinary applications, and what procedures are involved in the development of the assays. It is expected that many veterinary-related BBMAs will be published and/or become commercially available in the next few years. The current review summarizes the BBMA technology and some of the currently available BBMAs developed for veterinary settings. Some of the human diagnostic BBMAs are also described, providing an example of possible templates for future development of new veterinary-related BBMAs.

Microbiological identification and analysis of Swine lungs collected from carcasses in Swine farms, china

The primary objective of this 3 years study was to determine the prevalence of porcine pathogens of the lungs of swine in swine farms in southern China. A total of 5,420 samples were collected from 200 swine farms. The bacterium that was most commonly isolated was Streptococcus suis, with 10.24 % of the samples being positive, 114 lungs (2.1 %) were positive for pseudorabies virus and 263 (4.85 %) were positive for classical swine fever virus; much lower than positive for PRRSV (15.1 %, p = 0.023) and PCV2 (13.8 %, p = 0.038). lungs that were positive for PRRSV and/or PCV-2 have significantly increased odds of being positive for any of the S. suis (9.79 vs. 0.44 %, p = 0.003).