A longitudinal study of rotavirus antibody titers in swine in a closed specific pathogen-free herd.

In a newly established closed specific pathogen-free (SPF) swine herd, gilt/sow suckling and weaned pig rotavirus specific antibody titers were followed for three lactations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to gain insight into the dynamics of herd antibody titers to group A rotavirus. Among gilts/sows, serum antirotavirus IgG titers increased during each lactation with a subsequent drop in titer between farrowings. Serum antirotavirus IgM titers declined during each lactation and with subsequent parity. Serum antirotavirus IgA titers remained constant during lactations and among parities. In colostrum and milk, antirotavirus IgA antibody was abundant. Differences in titer were not noticed between gilts and second litter sows but third litter sows had significantly higher titers than the first two groups. Antirotavirus IgG was high in colostrum but nearly nonexistent in milk. This titer did not vary significantly within or among parities. There was a linear regression in the titers of baby pig serum antirotavirus IgG from the post colostral sample through to seven weeks old, after which titer began to increase. No difference in baby pig serum antirotavirus IgG was noted among the three litters. Serum antirotavirus IgA and IgM were undetectable in baby pig sera after 2-3 weeks of age. Coproantibody to rotavirus was sporadically present in pig feces for 2-3 weeks after birth with highest titers in the IgA fraction. We conclude that although it is probable that age resistance of pigs to rotavirus diarrhea occurs, humoral immunity as measured by ELISA rotavirus antibody titers may not be intimately involved in virus clearance since in our studies baby pigs passively received large amounts of antibody but still excreted pathogenic virus. The finding of increasing levels of serum antirotavirus IgG in gilt/sow serum suggest that exposure to antigen of dams occur without significant increases in antirotavirus IgG titers in either colostrum, milk, or baby pig serum.     

Comparative investigations of a combined vaccine against parvovirus and erysipelas and corresponding monovaccines in different vaccination schedules. 1: Field trial]

In a field trial, the development of antibodies of a combined vaccine against the porcine parvovirus (PPV) as well as against swine erysipelas was compared with corresponding mono vaccines. Furthermore, these vaccines were used in different vaccination schedules. The tests were carried out on 109 gilts in three closed farms. In all gilts, a basic immunization repeated twice was carried out at the age of six months and at intervals of three weeks. The revaccination was carried out four months after the basic immunization with half of the animals, and six months after the basic immunization with the remaining gilts. Between the combined vaccine and the mono vaccine no significant differences in the development of antibodies against PPV could be found according to different vaccination schedules. The gilts having been vaccinated with the mono vaccine and boostered six months later showed significantly higher antibody titers against Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Between the remaining vaccination groups no significant difference in the development of the antibodies against swine erysipelas could be found. On only one farm, a continuous decrease of antibody titers against PPV in case of altogether 238 non-vaccinated piglets until the sixth month of life could be observed. On the two other farms, an increase of antibody titers against PPV could be found at different points of time, which indicates an infection of the piglets. Between the individual vaccination groups no significant antibody titers against PPV could be measured in milk tests. With regard to the number of piglets born alive per litter, the number of piglets born dead per litter and the number of mummies, a significant difference could neither be found between the vaccination groups 1-4.     

Antibodies to some swine diseases in commercial piggeries in Central Zambia.

Blood samples were taken from 121 sows and gilts on 7 commercial piggeries located around Lusaka (Zambia). The samples tested negative for antibodies to Aujeszky's disease, transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), swine influenza, hog cholera and brucellosis. Seventy-eight pigs from 5 farms had positive titres to porcine parvovirus. Eighteen sera showed positive titres to Leptospira celledoni.     

Rotaviral antibodies in cow's milk.

In the past, it has been reported that neonatal diets made from unheated cow's milk were superior to those made from heated cow's milk. It was observed that piglets were equally protected from rotaviral diarrhea when they were fed diets made from either unheated milk that came from a cow immunized against porcine rotavirus or from a cow that was not immunized. Because of this observation, we examined four pools of "normal" cows' colostrum and 58 samples of "normal" cow's milk for the presence of antibody to rotavirus. All pools of colostrum, collected in four different years, had immunofluorescent antibody titers of 1:100 to rotavirus. Seventy-two percent of the samples of milk were also positive--titer no higher than 1:10. Antibodies to rotavirus were found in cow's milk at a creamery prior to but not after pasteurization. Rotaviral antibodies were detected in one out of eight brands of milk bought at the market--perhaps indicating inadequate pasteurization for this brand. These results support the proposition that, at least in part, unheated milk is superior to heated milk because unheated milk contains antibody to an ubiquitous enteropathogen like rotavirus.     

Vaccination Against Porcine Parvovirus Infection

Of 13 gilts 7 were vaccinated twice at an interval of 3 weeks with an inactivated vaccine against porcine parvovirus (PPV) infection, while the 6 nonvaccinated gilts served as controls. Starting after the 1st vaccination the gilts were bred and, after about 40 days of gestation, challenged intravenously with virulent PPV. The vaccinated gilts produced an antibody respons after the 1st and 2nd vaccination compatible with a primary and a secondary immune response, respectively. The nonvaccinated gilts remained low-titered or PPV antibody negative until after challenge. The gilts were killed after about 90 days of gestation, and their litters were examined. All of 53 fetuses from the vaccinated gilts were alive, and infection with PPV could not be demonstrated. Conversely, 50 of 65 fetuses from the non-vaccinated gilts were infected with PPV, and 43 were dead.In a field study comprising 2 herds, PPV seronegative or lowtitered gilts were vaccinated before mating. There were no obvious signs of reproductive disorders in the 2 herds during the vaccination trials, and the reproductive performance of vaccinated gilts did not differ significantly from that of non-vaccinated gilts.     

新疆部分地区规模化猪场弓形虫抗体监测与分析

为了查明新疆部分地区规模化猪场弓形虫流行情况,应用酶联免疫吸附试验对5个猪场随机采集的173分血清样品进行弓形虫抗体监测。结果表明,猪弓形虫抗体阳性率高达82.7%(143/173),其中3个猪场的后备母猪的弓形虫抗体阳性率高达100%,5个猪场公猪的弓形虫抗体阳性率在85%~75%之间。     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. III. Rotavirus infection

The prevalence of rotavirus infection was studied in 1090 litters from 26 sow herds. Samples of normal, semifluid and watery stools were examined for rotavirus by an ELISA-test on faeces. Rotavirus was detected in 77% of the herds and in 30.5% of the litters (prevalence rates). The highest prevalence rate was seen in piglets between 21 and 41 days of age. Gilts' litters had a very high prevalence during the first week of life. Apart from this, no difference was found between litters from gilts and older sows. Rotavirus was detected more frequently in semiliquid, loose stools than in normal or watery stools, and an association between virus detection and diarrhoea could not be demonstrated. However, litters which shedded rotavirus during the suckling period had lower weight gains and higher incidence rates of respiratory diseases than virus-free litters. Litters weaned at 2 weeks in battery cages had slightly increased risk of shedding rotavirus compared to litters weaned in more traditional systems. The study revealed that rotavirus is widespread in Danish swine herds. The findings give evidence to suggest that the type of mild diarrhoea in 3-week-old piglets known as steatorrhoea or "white scours" may be associated with rotavirus infection, possibly in combination with E. coli and other agents. The high prevalence in piglets weaned at 2 weeks plus the higher morbidity and mortality among such piglets sustain the conclusion that piglets should not be weaned before 3 weeks of age or below a body weight of 6-7 kg.     

Transfer of maternal antibody against group A rotavirus from sows to piglets and serological responses following natural infection

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the measurement of antirotaviral antibody in sera and faeces from pigs and used to study the dynamics of antirotaviral antibody responses in three cohorts of pigs. Piglets acquired antirotaviral antibody by sucking their dams soon after birth. Antirotaviral antibodies of IgA and IgG classes were detected in both colostrum and milk of all sows tested but IgM class antibodies were not. The antibody levels in colostrum were eight to 32 times higher than those in milk which was collected 18 days post partum. The levels of antibody in piglets' sera were comparable to those in colostrum but declined quickly to low levels by one month old. Maternal antibody was also detected in the faeces of piglets up to 18 days old. Natural rotavirus infection occurred in each of these cohorts when the geometric mean ELISA titres of maternal antibody in their sera declined to 1/1600 (by days 21, 25 and 30 for cohorts 1, 2 and 3, respectively). However, a positive correlation was not obtained between the levels of antirotaviral antibody and protection in individual litters within each of the cohort groups. In each of the cohorts, rotavirus infection usually occurred in one or two piglets first and then spread to other piglets in the same cohort. It is therefore suggested that maternally derived antibody is protective against rotavirus infection in piglets only for the first one or two weeks. Following natural infection with rotavirus, increases in serum antibodies were detected in two of the three cohorts by 20 to 30 days after the average time of onset of faecal shedding of virus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serological, colostral and milk responses of cows vaccinated with a single dose of a combined vaccine against rotavirus, coronavirus and Escherichia coli F5 (K99)

Twenty-five Ayrshire/Friesian cows were vaccinated once with a new combined vaccine against rotavirus, coronavirus and Escherichia coli F5 (K99) or given a saline placebo 31 days before the first expected calving date. Blood samples were taken from the cows at intervals from vaccination until seven days after calving and from their calves up to 28 days after birth, and colostrum and milk samples were collected from the cows at intervals for 28 days after calving. There was a significant increase in the mean specific antibody titre against all three antigens in the serum of the vaccinated animals (even in the presence of pre-existing antibody) which was accompanied by increased levels of protective antibodies to rotavirus, coronavirus and E coli F5 (K99) in their colostrum and milk for at least 28 days.     

Increased litter survival rates,reduced clinical illness and better lactogenic immunity against TGEV in gilts that were primed as neonates with porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV)

Establishing immunological memory in female piglets at a young age with PRCV was effective in inducing a secondary immune response to a limiting dose of virulent TGEV given orally 13-18 days prior to farrowing. Subsequently, because of passive antibody transfer, the offspring of these primed gilts were more efficient in surviving a lethal TGEV challenge. An average survival rate of 89% occurred in 6 litters of piglets from primed gilts that were boosted with 2.8 x 10(6) plaque forming units (PFU) of TGEV whereas 76% of the piglets survived in three litters that suckled primed gilts boosted with 3.0 x 10(5)PFU of TGEV. Non-primed gilts given identical pre-farrowing doses of TGEV had litter survival rates of 63 and 55%, respectively. Moreover, both groups of litters from primed gilts suffered less clinical illness (as measured by the extent of weight loss post-challenge) than control litters. Priming of the piglets as neonates and boosting the pregnant gilts produced an anamnestic systemic immune response and correspondingly higher milk titers in the primed gilts compared to control animals. Thus, priming piglets with PRCV was beneficial in providing resistance to TGEV and could be incorporated into a vaccine strategy that yields better protection against TGEV.     

龙岩地区部分猪场弓形虫病的血清学调查

通过间接血凝(IHA)试验对采自龙岩地区12个猪场的2055份猪血清进行弓形虫病的抗体检测,结果表明猪弓形虫病在龙岩地区呈散发性流行。样品阳性率为5.99%,各猪场之间的抗体阳性率有一定差异,最高为16.22%,最低为0。在母猪群中随着胎次的增加,弓形虫病抗体阳性率也升高,由1～2胎的6.72%上升到5胎以上的12.18%;育肥猪群总体弓形虫病抗体阳性率较低,由哺乳仔猪的10.94%缓慢降至育肥猪的1.62%,呈现出随日龄增加弓形虫病抗体阳性率逐渐降低的趋势。     

湖南高致病性猪蓝耳病隐性感染情况调查

用ELISA和RT-PCR的方法对采集自湖南省内20个规模场1007份血清和3个市级定点屠宰场50份猪肺门淋巴结进行蓝耳病血清抗体检测和高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒的检测。结果1007份血清中,蓝耳病抗体阳性率为72.9%(734/1007),高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒携毒率为3.2%(32/1007),50份肺门淋巴结病毒阳性率为16%(8/50),其中,蓝耳病免疫与非免疫猪血清其抗体阳性率相差不显著,种猪的抗体阳性率明显高于商品猪,而其病毒携毒率为0%。部分规模猪场和眼观健康的育肥猪存在高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒的隐性感染。     

Maternally-derived antibodies to porcine parvovirus and their effect on active antibody production after vaccination with an inactivated oil-emulsion vaccine

Two sows which had been vaccinated with an oil-emulsion porcine parvovirus vaccine, and had developed high haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody levels to the virus, farrowed three successive litters each, a total of 74 piglets. Serum samples from these piglets were tested for haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody at birth, three and 17 days after birth, and at monthly intervals thereafter to study the decline of maternally-derived antibody. Regression curves were constructed from the data to show the projected pathway (mean and 95 per cent tolerance limits) of the decline of maternally-derived antibody. Approximately half the pigs still had positive titres of up to 1/160 at six months old, and traces of antibody were detected in a few pigs at nine months. Thus, even at the onset of breeding some gilts can have maternally-derived antibody which may interfere with their ability to develop active immunity to porcine parvovirus. From the same litters three groups of 12 pigs were selected randomly and were vaccinated with a single dose of the oil-emulsion vaccine at 70 days, 130 days or 190 days respectively. Despite the presence of moderate to high titres of maternally-derived antibody, especially in the younger pigs, all of those vaccinated showed strong and long lasting antibody responses to the vaccine. High serum antibody titres at the time of vaccination seemed to depress the response to the vaccine slightly but the effect was not statistically significant. These results have important implications for prevention of reproductive failure induced by porcine parvovirus.     

The shedding of group A rotavirus antigen in a newly established closed specific pathogen-free swine herd.

A longitudinal study was undertaken in a newly established specific pathogen-free (SPF) swine herd to determine the dynamics of rotavirus antigen shedding in a closed swine facility. Pregnant SPF gilts which populated the herd, and their offspring, were monitored weekly for three consecutive lactations. Fecal samples were assayed for the presence of group-specific viral antigen by a solid phase immunoassay (ELISA). Results indicate that in the week prior to farrow, 35% of samples from gilts/sows contained rotavirus antigen. During nursing, 37% of the gilts'/sows' fecal samples also contained virus antigen. Over the course of three farrowings, every gilt/sow in the herd excreted virus antigen. Virus antigen was present in 25% of the samples tested from nursing pigs and in 70% of the samples tested from pigs in the postnursing period; 95% of the litters excreted virus antigen either while nursing or postweaning. Seasonal incidence in virus antigen excretion was noted with proportionally more suckling pigs virus antigen-positive in summer and proportionally more sows/gilts positive during winter. Diarrhea occurred only rarely in the sampled population. Although piglets shed rotavirus subclinically, ELISA positive feces from piglets of each lactation caused severe disease when fed to neonatal gnotobiotic pigs. Electropherotyping of these passaged viruses indicated minor variation in RNA banding patterns over time.     

河南省部分猪群主要疫病疫苗免疫抗体水平监测与效果分析

2009年1月—2011年12月,从河南省信阳和驻马店地区62个猪场共收集免疫过猪瘟病毒(CSFV)、伪狂犬病毒(PRV)、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)疫苗的猪血液,利用ELISA方法对样品进行抗体水平的检测。结果显示:该地区猪场猪群的疫苗免疫合格率最高是PRV疫苗(87.06%);其次是CSFV疫苗(76.24%);PRRSV和PCV2的疫苗免疫合格率较低,分别为65.20%和50.78%。4种疫苗免疫抗体合格率在不同规模的猪场有较大的差别,规模猪场的猪群某些疫病的抗体未必比散养猪群高。种猪群的4种疫苗的免疫合格率最高,商品猪中各个生长阶段的免疫后抗体合格率比较后发现,断奶仔猪群PRRSV抗体合格率明显高于哺乳仔猪,育肥猪群合格率要比哺乳仔猪群和断奶仔猪群的抗体合格率低。     

Oral fluid samples used for PRRSV acclimatization program and sow performance monitoring in endemic PRRS-positive farms

An effective gilt acclimatization program is one of the most important management strategies for controlling porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. Recently, oral fluid samples have been used as alternative diagnostic samples for various swine diseases. This study utilized oral fluids for PRRSV monitoring during the gilt acclimatization period in PRRSV endemic farms. The study was performed in two selected commercial breeding herds (farm A and farm B). PRRSV RNA and PRRSV-specific antibodies were monitored using oral fluid and serum samples. Sow performance parameters related to PRRSV infection were recorded and assessed. After PRRSV exposure during acclimatization, viral RNA was demonstrated in oral fluids from 1 to 10 weeks post-exposure (WPE). PRRSV RNA was detected in serum at 1 and 4 WPE in farm A and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 WPE in farm B. Prolonged viremia of gilts from farm B was possibly due to re-infection (within the herd) and later, reproductive problems were found in the breeding herd. The correlation of PRRSV RNA concentration in oral fluids and serum was evident. The S/P ratio values of PRRSV antibodies in oral fluid samples were higher and had similar patterns of antibody responses to the serum samples. The results suggest that the use of oral fluid samples for PRRSV monitoring during gilt acclimatization in endemic farms is effective, convenient, practical, and economical and would be most beneficial when used with other parameters.     

重组M蛋白-乳胶凝集试验检测PRRS病毒血清抗体的研究

利用纯化的 PRRS病毒重组 M蛋白致敏乳胶制成乳胶抗原 ,成功地建立了一种检测 PRRS病毒血清抗体的乳胶凝集试验 (L AT)诊断方法。用制备的乳胶 M抗原分别检测猪瘟、猪伪狂犬病、猪细小病毒病、猪弓形体病、猪衣原体病、猪乙型脑炎阳性血清 ,结果均为阴性 ,无交叉反应 ,说明建立的 L AT方法具有良好的特异性。用建立的乳胶凝集试验方法与国外IDEXX公司 PRRS病毒抗体检测试剂盒同时对 76份猪血清样本进行检测 ,结果表明建立的 L AT方法的特异性和敏感性均为 95 % ,两种方法的总符合率为 87% ,检出率基本一致。研究结果表明 L AT方法具有操作简便、快速、敏感性高、特异性强、价格低廉且可用于现场检测等优点 ,是一种适合基层兽医单位用于 PRRS病毒血清抗体检测的新方法     

近期部分规模化猪场猪伪狂犬病野毒抗体监测情况调查

猪伪狂犬病仍然是我国猪群的重要威胁性传染病，通常造成母猪繁殖障碍以及仔猪的神经症状和高死亡率，同时伪狂犬病病毒也是猪呼吸系统疾病综合征的重要原发性病原。用gE-ELISA野毒鉴别诊断方法共检测了来自8个省、市46个猪场1940份血清样品，其中阳性样品657份，样品总阳性率33.87%，阳性猪场25个。在检测的各场中，阳性率最高猪场达到75.76%(125/165)。而部分进行了科学的疫苗免疫和实施了严格的生物安全措施的猪场始终保持猪伪狂犬病阴性(0/135)。利用基因缺失疫苗科学免疫配合伪狂犬抗体鉴别诊断技术是控制和净化伪狂犬病的重要手段。     

Efficacy of an inactivated virus vaccine for prevention of porcine parvovirus-induced reproductive failure.

Gilts vaccinated IM either once (4 gilts) or twice (2 gilts) with an acetylethyleneimine-inactivated porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine before they were bred were subsequently exposed intranasally and orally to virulent PPV at about the 40th day of gestation (from 37 to 43 days). At 2 weeks after vaccination, all had hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) titers for PPV (from 20 to 80) which decreased by the time the immunity was challenged with virulent virus (from 10 to 40), but increased thereafter (from 160 to 1,280). Titers of singly and doubly vaccinated gilts were similar throughout the experiment. The gilts were killed at about the 84th day of gestation (from 80 to 87 days), and their litters were examined. Litters were comprised of 68 live fetuses and 1 dead fetus (7 to 14 fetuses/litter). Neither viral antigen, PPV, nor homologous HI antibody was found in any of the fetuses. In addition, 4 gilts were kept in contact with the vaccinated gilts and were treated similarly except for vaccination. These 4 gilts remained free of HI antibody until after they were exposed to virulent PPV during gestation. At the time the gilts were killed the titers were 1,280 to 2,560. Their litters were comprised of 11 live fetuses and 26 dead fetuses (8 to 11 fetuses/litter). Virus was isolated from fetuses of all litters. Viral antigen was found in 24 of the dead fetuses and 10 of the live fetuses. All infected live fetuses also had HI antibody for PPV. The 2 boars used to breed vaccinated and nonvaccinated gilts (usually each gilt was bred to each of the 2 boars), but not exposed to virulent PPV, remained free of HI antibody for PPV.     

Immune electron microscopy of transmissible gastroenteritis virus and rotavirus (reovirus-like agent) of swine.

Immune electron microscopy (IEM) was developed as a diagnostic aid for detecting and identifying transmissible gastroenteritis virus and rotavirus (reovirus-like agent) in fecal and intestinal contents from cases of gastroenteritis in young pigs. Variables involved in use of direct IEM and its sensitivity were determined. Aggregates of virus coated with specific antibody were seen in virus samples mixed with homologous convalescent antiserum, but not in control samples containing preexposure serum or antibody directed against a heterologous virus. At least a ten fold enhancement of the sensitivity of direct IEM for virus detection was accomplished using indirect IEM employing rabbit anti-porcine IgG to further aggregate virus-antibody complexes. The technique was used to investigate the size and morphology of the porcine rotavirus. Particles ranged from 55 to 70 nm in diameter and had capsomere structures. Morphologically, the porcine rotavirus resembled the calf and human rotaviruses. By IEM, employing specific antiserums for each virus, porcine rotavirus was found to be antigenically related to these 2 viruses, but not to the reovirus type 3.