Evaluation of serology,bacteriological isolation and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of pigs carrying Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract after experimental infection

Pigs, asymptomatically infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in their upper respiratory tract, can transmit the infection. Detection of such animals is indispensable to prevent the intake of the disease in a herd. This study was conducted to evaluate bacteriology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology for the detection of subclinically infected pigs. Pigs were inoculated onto the tonsils with an A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain (n=12, group 1) or phosphate buffered saline solution (PBSS) (n=5, group 2). To prevent infection of the lungs, pigs of group 1 were treated three times with sodium ceftiofur as an aerosol. A third group (n=5) was inoculated intranasally with the same strain. All animals were euthanized 30 days post-inoculation (dpi). In pigs of group 1, clinical signs were not observed. A small lung lesion was found in only one pig and A. pleuropneumoniae was isolated from this lesion. The bacterium was not isolated from the lungs of animals that did not develop lung lesions. A. pleuropneumoniae was demonstrated in tonsils of 9/12 animals using bacteriological isolation, whereas it was demonstrated in mixed bacterial cultures from tonsils of all 12 animals by PCR. In non-infected animals (group 2), clinical signs were not observed and A. pleuropneumoniae was not demonstrated in any sample. All intranasally infected animals (group 3) developed disease signs and lung lesions. High antibody titers against ApxI, ApxII and heat-stable antigens were detected in animals that developed lung lesions. Antibody titers against these antigens were low or absent in all other pigs. It was concluded that pigs carrying A. pleuropneumoniae in the upper respiratory tract generally do not show measurable antibodies in serum. Therefore, sensitive methods for the detection of the etiological agent such as PCR are required to identify carrier animals, while serological methods are not suitable.     

Prior infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica increases nasal colonization by Haemophilus parasuis in swine

The objective of this study was to determine whether Bordetella bronchiseptica would predispose to colonization or disease with Haemophilus parasuis. Three experiments were completed. In the first experiment, three groups of pigs (10 pigs/group) were inoculated intranasally with either B. bronchiseptica, H. parasuis, or with B. bronchiseptica followed by H. parasuis 1 week later. A fourth group of 10 pigs served as a non-infected control group. The second experiment was like the first, except that there were only five pigs per experimental group. The third experiment consisted of only two groups (10 pigs/group), one of which was inoculated intranasally with H. parasuis, whereas the other was inoculated with B. bronchiseptica followed by H. parasuis 1 week later. Pigs were necropsied 1-2 weeks after inoculation with H. parasuis. Mean nasal colonization by H. parasuis was significantly higher in the coinfected groups compared to the groups infected with H. parasuis alone. Pneumonia was present in 9/25 pigs coinfected with B. bronchiseptica and H. parasuis, 5/25 pigs infected with H. parasuis alone, 1/15 pigs infected with B. bronchiseptica alone, and in none of the pigs in the non-inoculated groups. Thus, B. bronchiseptica increased colonization of the upper respiratory tract with H. parasuis.     

Establishment of a Duplex Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the Differential Detection of Nipha Virus and Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

To establish a rapid,sensitive and specific assay for the differential detection of Nipah virus (NiV) and highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV),a duplex Real-time RT-PCR was developed with specific primers and probes targeting to the special sequences of NiV M gene and HP-PRRSV nsp2 gene by optimization of reaction conditions.The performance of the assay was linear ranging from 4.6×10¹ to 4.6×10⁷ copies/μL for RNA standard control of NiV M (NiV-M-RNA) and from 4.1×10¹ to 4.1×10⁸ copies/μL for RNA standard control of HP-PRRSV nsp2 (HP-PRRSV-nsp2-RNA),and detection limits of the assay was 46 copies for the NiV-M-RNA and 4.1 copies for the HP-PRRSV-nsp2-RNA,respectively.The coefficients of variation (CVs) of both inter-assay and intra-assay repeatability were less than 2.0%,showing good repeatability.The assay was able to specifically detect NiV and HP-PRRSV simultaneously without cross-reaction with classical swine fever virus (CSFV),porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV),swine influenza virus (SIV),porcine parvovirus (PPV),pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).Of the 236 samples from pigs for both NiV and HP-PRRSV detection by the established assay,all the samples were negative for NiV,8 samples were HP-PRRSV positive.In conclusion,this assay offers a useful approach for the differential detection of NiV and HP-PRRSV in clinical specimens from the pigs.     

一种鉴别尼帕病毒和高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒二重荧光RT-PCR检测方法的建立

为建立一种快速、敏感和特异地鉴别尼帕病毒(NiV)和高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(HP-PRRSV)的检测方法,本试验以NiV M基因和HP-PRRSV nsp2基因为靶序列,通过优化反应条件建立了一种二重荧光RT-PCR检测方法,并对该方法的特异性、定量线性范围、敏感性和重复性进行了评价及初步应用.结果显示,用该方法检测NiV M基因和HP-PRRSV nsp2基因的RNA标准对照(NiV-M-RNA和HP-PRRSV-nsp2-RNA),线性范围分别为4.6×10¹~4.6×10⁷和4.1×10¹~4.1×10⁸拷贝/μL;最低检出限分别为46和4.1拷贝;该方法组内试验和组间试验的变异系数均小于2.0%,显示出良好的可重复性;该方法仅对NiV和HP-PRRSV呈现特异性扩增曲线,不与猪瘟病毒(CSFV)、猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)、猪流感病毒(SIV)、猪细小病毒(PPV)、猪伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)发生交叉反应.用该方法对236份猪实际样品进行NiV和HP-PRRSV核酸检测,所有样本的NiV检测结果均为阴性,8份样本的HP-PRRSV检测结果为阳性.本研究建立的方法为猪实际样本中NiV和HP-PRRSV的鉴别检测提供了一种快速、敏感和特异的技术手段.     

Antiviral effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta-glucan to swine influenza virus by increased production of interferon-gamma and nitric oxide

The aim of these experiments was to investigate the potential antiviral effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta-glucan on the pneumonia induced by swine influenza virus (SIV). Forty colostrum-deprived 5-day-old piglets were randomly divided into four groups of 10. The 20 pigs in groups 1 and 2 were administered Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta-glucan orally (50 mg/day/pig; En-Bio Technology Co., Ltd) for 3 days before SIV infection and those in groups 3 and 4 were given culture medium/diluent alone. Groups 1 and 3 were inoculated intranasally with 3 ml of tissue culture fluid containing 2 x 10(6) tissue culture infective doses 50% (TCID(50))/ml of SIV and those in groups 2 and 4 were exposed in the same manner to uninfected cell culture supernatant. The microscopic lung lesions induced by SIV infection (group 1 pigs) were significantly more severe than those induced by infection in animals pre-administered beta-glucan (group 3) (P < 0.05). Significantly more SIV nucleic acid was detected in the lungs of pigs experimentally infected with SIV only (group 1) at 5, 7 and 10 days post-inoculation (dpi) compared with lungs from pigs pre-administered beta-glucan and infected with SIV (group 3) (P < 0.05). The concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and nitric oxide (NO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from pigs pre-administered beta-glucan and infected with SIV (group 3) were significantly higher than for any other group at 7 and 10 dpi for IFN-gamma, and at 5, 7 and 10 dpi for NO (P < 0.05). Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta-glucan reduced the pulmonary lesion score and viral replication rate in SIV-infected pigs. These findings support the potential application of beta-glucan as prophylactic/treatment agent in influenza virus infection.     

高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

根据GenBank公布的24株高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒毒株和5株PRRSV经典毒株的保守区基因序列,使用PrimerExpress 3.0软件设计并合成实时荧光定量PCR（Real-timeFluorescent Quantitative PCR,Real-time FQ-PCR）用引物和探针,建立了Real-time FQ-PCR检测方法以鉴别检测高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒。用建立的检测方法对已定量的10倍倍比稀释的质粒pGET-258为标准品进行检测,并与常规PCR进行比较。结果显示,该Real-time FQ-PCR方法敏感度可达1.5个拷贝,比常规PCR敏感度高100倍,且批内和批间重复性检测结果的变异系数均小于2%。用该方法与常规PCR方法及病毒分离方法对18份临床样品进行对比检测,显示该方法灵敏度高、成本低,并且能够对样品中病毒进行定量,为高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的快速鉴别诊断提供了有效的技术手段。     

Efficacy of a type 2 PRRSV modified live vaccine (PrimePac™ PRRS) against a Thai HP-PRRSV challenge

The Chinese highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) has caused a severe threat to the pig population in Southeast Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a type 2 PRRSV modified live vaccine (PrimePac? PRRS, lineage 7) against a Thai HP-PRRSV (10PL01, lineage 8). Three-week-old PRRSV-free pigs were randomly assigned into three groups. Vaccinated challenged group (group 1, n?=?16) was immunized with PrimePac? PRRS vaccine at 3 weeks old. The unvaccinated challenged group (group 2, n?=?16) was injected with PBS at 3 weeks old, and unvaccinated unchallenged group (group 3, n?=?10) was served as a negative control. At 9 weeks old, all groups, except the negative control group, were challenged with the Thai HP-PRRSV. All pigs were monitored daily during 10 days post-infection (dpi) and were necropsied at 10 and 17 dpi. The results revealed that vaccinated challenged pigs showed significantly lower (p?<?0.05) mean rectal temperatures, clinical respiratory scores, lung lesion scores, and levels of virus load in serum and lung tissue compared with the unvaccinated challenged pigs. Moreover, vaccinated challenged pigs exhibited PRRSV-specific serum neutralizing antibodies at the end of the experiment. Our findings indicated that the studied type 2 PRRSV vaccine provided partial protection against the Thai HP-PRRSV infection based on the body temperature, levels of viremia, and the severity of lung lesions. These results demonstrated that partial protection of PrimePac? PRRS vaccine might be useful for controlling HP-PRRSV infection in the endemic area.     

荧光定量RT-PCR法对犬瘟热病毒PS株感染犬血清和粪便中病毒的检测

为研究犬人工感染犬瘟热病毒(CDV)后病毒在血清和粪便中的含量及变化,本实验根据CDV核衣壳蛋白(NP)基因序列设计一对特异引物,扩增NP基因.并以NP基因重组质粒作为阳性标准品,建立检测CDV的SYBR GreenⅠ荧光定量RT-PCR方法.结果表明,该方法102拷贝～109拷贝范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为R2=0.998,扩增效率为E=98.3％,敏感度高,最低检测限为6.1拷贝/μL,重复性检测变异系数低于2.62％.该方法与常规RT-PCR方法比较,其敏感性提高102倍.两只人工感染CDV PS强毒株的犬,分别于接种后17d、19d发病死亡,采用荧光定量RT-PCR方法对人工感染犬的血液和拭子液中的病毒核酸栽量进行定量检测以及对收集的22份临床样本拭子液进行检测,均检测到CDV.本研究结果表明,该方法可以用于CDV核酸定量检测,为该病毒的致病机理及病毒传播途径的研究提供了一种快速和敏感的检测手段.     

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) influences infection dynamics of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) subtypes PCV2a and PCV2b by prolonging PCV2 viremia and shedding

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) subtypes a (PCV2a) or b (PCV2b) viremia and shedding characteristics in oral, nasal and fecal samples in experimentally infected pigs. Twenty-three, 2- to 6-week-old pigs were randomly divided into five groups: negative control (n=3), PCV2a-I (n=5), PCV2a-PRRSV-CoI (n=5), PCV2b-I (n=5), and PCV2b-PRRSV-CoI (n=5). Blood, oral, nasal and fecal swabs were collected in regular intervals from day post inoculation (dpi) 0 until dpi 70 and tested by quantitative real-time PCR for the presence and amount of PCV2 DNA and by ELISA for the presence of PCV2-specific antibodies. The results indicate that there were significantly (P<0.05) higher loads of PCV2a and PCV2b DNA in serum, oral swabs, nasal swabs and fecal swabs and a higher prevalence of detectable PCV2 antigen in tissues of pigs concurrently infected with PCV2 and PRRSV compared to pigs singularly infected with PCV2 further confirming that PRRSV enhances replication of PCV2. Moreover, PRRSV infection significantly prolonged the presence of PCV2 DNA in serum and increased the amount of PCV2 DNA in oral and nasal secretions and fecal excretions in the later stages of infection between dpi 28 and 70. Shedding patterns were similar between groups infected with PCV2a and PCV2b, indicating that there was no subtype-specific interaction with the PRRSV isolate used in this study. The results from this study highlight the interaction between PRRSV and PCV2 and the importance of controlling PRRSV infection in order to reduce PCV2 virus loads in pig populations.     

高致病性与低致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒二重RT-PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为建立高致病性与低致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(HP/LP-PRRSV)快速鉴别诊断方法,本研究根据GenBank已登录的HP-PRRSV与LP-PRRSV的Nsp2基因序列,分别设计了特异性的上游引物(HP-Upper-p1/LP-Upper-p2) 和共用下游引物(Co-Lower-p3)。以HP-PRRSV和LP-PRRSV混合物总RNA为反转录模板,建立了HP-PRRSV和LP-PRRSV的二重RT-PCR检测方法;并进行了特异性、敏感性和重复性试验;利用所建立的检测方法对临床疑似样品进行了检测。结果显示,本试验成功建立了HP-PRRSV和LP-PRRSV二重RT-PCR检测方法,该方法灵敏度高,最低检出限均为100拷贝/μL;重复性好,特异性强,可特异性地扩增HP-PRRSV细胞培养物和LP-PRRSV疫苗毒,但对Marc-145细胞和其他8种病原对照扩增不出任何条带;自25份临床疑似PRRSV感染病料中共检测出了21份PRRSV阳性样品,其中HP-PRRSV阳性样品共计20份,LP-PRRSV阳性样品4份。结果表明,本研究成功建立了HP-PRRSV和LP-PRRSV二重RT-PCR检测方法,可适用于高致病性与低致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的快速鉴别诊断。     

荧光定量RT-PCR法对高致病性PRRSV变异株感染猪体内分布规律的研究

根据GenBank发表的高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)变异株Nsp2基因序列设计1对特异引物,以重组质粒作为阳性标准品,采用SYBR-Green Ⅰ嵌合荧光染料建立了1种荧光定量RT-PCR方法用于检测该病毒核酸载量,在101~106拷贝/μL范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为R2=0.999 8,扩增效率为E=0.950,对质粒标准品最低检测限为12.8拷贝/μL,重复性检测的变异系数低于2.0%。用高致病性PRRSV变异毒株人工感染25日龄非免疫仔猪,对不同时间采集的血清进行了病毒核酸定量检测,结果表明病毒血症于攻毒后48 h被检测出,于7~10 d达到高峰,其病毒核酸载量能达到106拷贝/μL。试验猪临床表现为体温升高至40.5℃以上,持续7~11 d;出现嗜睡、打喷嚏、眼结膜炎、偶见一过性的耳尖发绀、皮肤苍白或有小疱疹、被毛粗糙、消瘦、便秘、后躯无力等临床症状。感染猪发生高热期与毒血症消长规律有一定相关性。对人工感染猪体内病毒分布检测结果表明,以多种脏器均有病毒存在,如扁桃体、淋巴结、心脏、肾脏中含量较高,肝、脾脏和肺次之,脑组织中也检测到病毒存在。试验表明,该方法可用于PRRSV变异毒株核酸定量检测,为该病毒致病性、致病机理、疫苗免疫及诊断等方面的研究提供了技术手段。     

Experimental infection of pigs with a thymidine kinase negative strain of pseudorabies virus

Sixteen 20 day old pigs, devoid of neutralizing antibody to pseudorabies virus (PRV), were divided into two groups of eight, and the animals of each group were housed in a separate unit. In each group 6 pigs were inoculated intranasally with the thymidine kinase (TK⁻) mutant (Group 1) or the field strain of PRV (Group 2), each pig receiving an inoculum of 4 ml. The remaining 2 pigs in each group served as uninoculated controls. The only clinical sign observed in the pigs of Group 1 was a transient febrile reaction, in the case of six pigs inoculated with the TK⁻ mutant of PRV, whereas no signs of disease were seen in the uninoculated controls. The virus was isolated from the 6 infected pigs of the group only on post infection day (PID) 2, whereas it was never isolated from the controls. By contrast, the pigs of Group 2, had a severe clinical response and one, among those that were inoculated with the field strain of the PRV, died on PID 9. Virus was consistently isolated from all pigs of Group 2, inoculated and control. On PID 30 all pigs, i.e. the 8 of Group 1 and 7 of the Group 2 which survived to the infection, were subjected to dexamethasone (DMS) treatment. After DMS treatment virus was never isolated from the nasal swabbings obtained from the pigs of Group 1, whereas it was consistently isolated from pigs of Group 2. After 30 d from the start of DMS treatment the pigs were killed and several tissues were collected from each pig for virus detection, by isolation in tissue culture and by PCR analysis. At necropsy no lesions were found in pigs of Group 1, whereas acute pneumonia and gliosis in the trigeminal ganglia were observed in pigs of Group 2. Virus was never isolated from any of the tissues taken from pigs of both, Group 1 and Group 2, nevertheless sequences of PRV were detected by PCR analysis in the trigeminal ganglia of the pigs of both Groups.     

Experimental inoculation of porcine circoviruses type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) in rabbits and mice

The objective of this work was to investigate the susceptibility of rabbits and mice experimentally inoculated with porcine circoviruses type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) to infection and development of disease and/or lesions. Forty six New Zealand rabbits and 50 ICR-CDI mice were both divided into two groups comprising PCVI and PCV2 inoculated animals, and a third group inoculated with non-infected cell culture medium. Rabbits were inoculated intranasally while mice were inoculated intraperitoneally. Clinical signs and body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at necropsy. Animals were bled, euthanised and necropsied at days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 20 post-inoculation and samples were collected for histopathological, serological, in situ hybridisation and PCR analysis. No clinical signs or gross and microscopic lesions compatible with PCV2 infections such as those seen in pigs were observed. No presence of PCV2 nucleic acid was detected in rabbits and mice by in situ hybridisation. Only one mouse inoculated with PCV1 seroconverted on day 20 P1. PCV1 and PCV2 genome was detected in serum by PCR in mice inoculated with each porcine circovirus, while rabbits were negative for both viral types. These studies indicated that porcine circoviruses did not cause any disease or microscopic lesions in inoculated rabbits and mice during the experimental period. However, intraperitoneally inoculated mice might have harboured PCV2 in circulation without evidence of viral replication.     

免疫刺激商品断奶仔猪复制多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)

猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）是引起PMWS的必需病原,与其他病原混合感染或受到外界刺激时表现PMWS临床症状。本试验将16头商品化断奶仔猪（32日龄）随机分为4组（每组4头）,即对照组、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组、PCV2攻毒组和PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组,用上海某猪场分离株PCV2-SH、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白（KLH）反复刺激断奶仔猪以复制PMWS。其中对照组、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组未出现症状;PCV2攻毒组症状较轻,出现增重缓慢,伴有短暂的体温升高;而PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组出现明显的临床症状,2头猪在攻毒后第11天濒临死亡,其中1头在第12天死亡,攻毒猪宰杀后脏器出现明显的病理变化。PCV2攻毒组和PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组于攻毒后第4天出现病毒血症,宰杀后肺脏、淋巴结均检测到PCV2的DNA。以上结果说明,PCV2-SH感染结合免疫刺激可以引起商品化仔猪发生PMWS,为PCV2致病机理和免疫学研究提供了动物发病模型。     

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical characterization of Nipah virus infection in the guinea pig

Mortality rate in humans infected with Nipah virus (NiV) has been reported as high as 92%. Humans infected with NiV show a widespread multisystemic vasculitis with most severe clinical and pathologic manifestations in the brain, lungs, and spleen. The purpose of this study was to study pathologic and immunohistochemical findings in guinea pigs infected with NiV. Of 28 animals inoculated intraperitoneally, only 2 survived the infection, and most died between 4 and 8 days postinoculation (dpi). Viral antigen with minimal pathologic changes was first detected 2 dpi in lymph nodes and spleen. More severe changes were noted in these organs 4-8 dpi, where pathologic damage had a vasocentric distribution and viral antigen was abundant in vascular endothelium, tunica media, adventitia, as well as in macrophages lining sinuses. The urinary bladder, uterus, and ovaries were also affected with necrosis and acute inflammation. In these organs, immunohistochemical positive staining was intense in blood vessels, epithelial cells, and ovarian follicles. Approximately 50% of the animals that died or were euthanized in extremis had evidence of viral antigen and histopathologic changes in brain, especially involving meninges and ependymal cells, with lesser changes in the neural parenchyma. A unifying feature of the damage for all affected tissues was necrosis and inflammation of the vasculature, chiefly in arterioles, capillaries, and venules. Inoculation of guinea pigs intraperitoneally with NiV produces a disease with considerable resemblance to the disease in humans, but with reduced pulmonary involvement and marked infection of urinary bladder and the female reproductive tract.     

Hemostatic alterations in pigs fed sublethal doses of Sarcocystis miescheriana

Effects of non-lethal Sarcocystis miescheriana infections on the blood coagulation system were investigated. Nine pigs were inoculated orally with 2 X 10(5) sporocysts (Group A) and nine pigs (Group B) served as non-infected controls. Blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis externa every 2 or 3 days until 19 days post-infection (dpi). The following parameters were investigated: partial thromboplastin time (PTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), thrombin coagulase time (TCT), fibrinogen (FIB), factor (F) VIII, F XI, F XII, antithrombin III (AT III), alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2 MG), alpha 2 antiplasmin (alpha 2 AP), pre-kallikrein (PK), and the number of circulating thrombocytes. All infected pigs suffered from acute sarcocystiosis between 12 and 19 dpi. Clinical illness was most severe from 14 to 17 dpi. At this time, PTT and FIB increased, and TT and TCT decreased slightly. The activities of the clotting factors increased at 17 and 19 dpi. However, only F VIII activity was significantly higher in the infected pigs than in the controls at 17 and 19 dpi. PK was significantly lower in the infected pigs at 12, 14, and 17 dpi. Thrombocyte counts were reduced with the onset of the acute phase of illness and some pigs had marked thrombocytopenia. These results indicate low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the course of mild S. miescheriana infections in pigs.     

An assessment of the duration of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in an experimentally infected population of pigs

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) is the primary pathogen of enzootic pneumonia (EP), a highly prevalent respiratory disease that affects pigs worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated that M. hyopneumoniae infection can be longer than 185 days; however, the total duration of infection has not been determined yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the duration of M. hyopneumoniae infection in asymptomatic carriers. To achieve our goal, 60 pigs were inoculated with M. hyopneumoniae strain 232 and the persistence of M. hyopneumoniae in the respiratory tract was assessed by detection of the bacterial DNA in bronchial swabs and the ability of the infected pigs to transmit the pathogen to sentinels. Infection of the inoculated animals was demonstrated by the detection of M. hyopneumoniae DNA in nasal swabs, seroconversion to the bacteria and the onset of dry coughing. Experimentally infected pigs shed M. hyopneumoniae prior to and after the cough was observed. M. hyopneumoniae DNA was detected in 100% of experimentally infected pigs at 94 days post infection (dpi), 61% at 214dpi and 0% at 254dpi. Experimentally infected pigs transmitted the bacteria to sentinels at 80 and 200dpi. Results of this study have demonstrated that M. hyopneumoniae infected pigs can be incubatory as well as convalescent carriers of the pathogen and that convalescent carriers can remain infectious for up to 200 days. Total clearance of M. hyopneumoniae in the group was evidenced, demonstrating that duration of M. hyopneumoniae infection lasts less than 254 days.     

Experimental dual infection of specific pathogen-free pigs with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and pseudorabies virus

Twenty 6-week-old specific pathogen-free pigs were divided into four groups. On day 0 of the experiment, PRRSV-PRV (n = 6) and PRRSV (n = 4) groups were intranasally inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (10(5.6) TCID50). On day 7, the PRRSV-PRV and PRV (n = 6) groups were intranasally inoculated with pseudorabies virus (PRV) (10(3.6) TCID50). Control pigs (n = 4) were kept as uninoculated negative controls. Half of the pigs in each group were euthanized and necropsied on day 14 or 21. Clinical signs such as depression and anorexia were observed in the PRRSV-PRV and PRV groups after inoculation with PRV. Although febrile response was observed after virus inoculations, the duration of that response was prolonged in the PRRSV-PRV group compared with the other groups. The lungs in the PRRSV-PRV group failed to collapse and were mottled or diffusely tan and red, whereas the lungs of the pigs in the other groups were grossly normal. Histopathologically, interstitial pneumonia was present in all PRRSV-inoculated pigs, but the pneumonic lesions were more severe in the PRRSV-PRV group. Mean PRRSV titres of tonsil and lung in the PRRSV-PRV group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in the PRRSV group on day 21. These results indicate that dual infection with PRRSV and PRV increased clinical signs and pneumonic lesions in pigs infected with both viruses, as compared to pigs infected with PRRSV or PRV only, at least in the present experimental conditions.     

Comparison of experimental models for Streptococcus suis infection of conventional pigs

Four different experimental models for Streptococcus suis-induced disease were compared to find a model that closely mimics naturally occurring disease in conventional pigs. Fourteen, 2-week old pigs free of S. suis type 2 were used in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, 3 pigs were inoculated intravenously (IV) and 3 pigs intranasally (IN) with S. suis. Two out of 3 of the IV-inoculated pigs exhibited signs of severe central nervous system disease (CNS) and were euthanized. Streptococcus suis type 2 was isolated from whole blood, joints, and serosal surfaces of both pigs. No clinical signs and no growth of S. suis were detected in the IN-inoculated pigs. In experiment 2, 4 pigs were inoculated IV and another 4 were inoculated IN with the same isolate as in experiment 1. One hour before inoculation the IN-inoculated pigs were given 5 mL of 1% acetic acid intranasally (IN-AA). All the IV-inoculated pigs showed CNS disease and lameness, and 2 of the pigs became severely affected and were euthanized. All the IN-AA inoculated pigs exhibited roughened hair coats and 2 pigs developed severe CNS disease and were euthanized. Streptococcus suis was isolated from the joints and blood of 3 pigs in the IV-inoculated group. Streptococcus suis was isolated from blood of 2 pigs, meninges of 3 pigs, and joints of 1 pig in the IN-AA inoculated group. Natural exposure to S. suis most likely occurs by the intranasal route. The IN-AA model should serve as a good model for S. suis-induced disease, because the natural route of exposure is intranasal and the IN-AA model was effective in inducing disease that mimics what is observed in the field.