Bacteriological and serological examination and risk factor analysis of Salmonella occurrence in sow herds, including risk factors for high Salmonella seroprevalence in receiver finishing herds

A strong association between the seroprevalence in sows and the occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium among weaners has been shown. As shown several times for finisher herds, the risk-factors, ready mixed pelleted feed and health status also apply to sow herds. Risk factors on the sow level, for high seroprevalence in finishers have been quantified. It has been shown, that isolating Salmonella in weaners is a risk factor for high seroprevalence in finishers. Feed factors; ready-mixed pelleted feed for both sows and finishers, dry feed for sows, have been shown to have a significant effect on high seroprevalence, monitored by meat juice samples at slaughter. The etiological fraction of ready-mixed pelleted feed for sows and for finishers is of the same magnitude, indicating that intervention on the sow level could prove to contribute considerably to the effect of intervention programs.     

Spatial clustering of swine influenza in Ontario on the basis of herd-level disease status with different misclassification errors

This approach maximizes sensitivity of serology-based monitoring systems by considering spatial clustering of herds classified as false positive by herd testing, allowing outbreaks to be detected in an early phase. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether swine herds infected with influenza viruses cluster in space, and if so, where they cluster. The secondary objective was to investigate the combining of a multivariate spatial scan statistic with herd test results to maximize the sensitivity of the surveillance system for swine influenza. We tested for spatial clustering of swine influenza using the Cuzick–Edwards test as a global test. The location of the most likely spatial clusters of cases for each subtype and strain in a sample of 65 sow and 72 finisher herds in 2001 (Ontario, Canada), and 76 sow herds in 2003 (Ontario, Canada) was determined by a spatial scan statistic in a purely spatial Bernoulli model based on single and multiple datasets.

A case herd was defined by true herd-disease status for sow or finisher herds tested for H1N1, and by apparent herd-disease status for sow herds tested for two H3N2 strains (A/Swine/Colorado/1/77 (Sw/Col/77) and A/Swine/Texas/4199-2/98 (Sw/Tex/98)). In sow herds, there was no statistically significant clustering of H1N1 influenza after adjustment for pig-farm density. Similarly, spatial clustering was not found in finisher herds. In contrast, clustering of H3N2 Sw/Col/77 (prevalence ratio = 12.5) and H3N2 Sw/Tex/98 (prevalence ratio = 15) was identified in an area close to a region with documented isolation of avian influenza isolates from pigs.

For the H1N1 subtype tested by ELISA, we used an approach that minimized overall misclassification at the herd level. This could be more applicable for detecting clusters of positive farms when herd prevalence is moderate to high than when herd prevalence is low. For the H3N2 strains we used an approach that maximized herd-level sensitivity by minimizing the herd cut-off. This is useful in situations where prevalence of the pathogen is low. The results of applying a multivariate spatial scan statistic approach, led us to generate the hypothesis that an unknown variant of influenza of avian origin was circulating in swine herds close to an area where avian strains had previously been isolated from swine. Maximizing herd sensitivity and linking it with the spatial information can be of use for monitoring of pathogens that exhibit the potential for rapid antigenic change, which, consequently, might then lead to diminished cross-reactivity of routinely used assays and lower test sensitivity for the newly emerged variants. Veterinary authorities might incorporate this approach into animal disease surveillance programs that either substantiate freedom from disease, or are aimed at detecting early incursion of a pathogen, such as influenza virus, or both.     

Salmonella seroprevalence at the population and herd level in pigs in The Netherlands

The aim of this study was to provide baseline data on the population and herd Salmonella seroprevalence in sows and finishers. For the population estimates in 1996 and 1999 and the herd prevalences for sows and gilts, blood samples from swine vesicular disease (SVD) and pseudorabies monitoring programmes were used and tested in an indirect Salmonella enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The herd prevalence for finishers was determined using blood samples collected at two slaughterhouses.The population prevalence for finishers in 1996 and 1999 was 23.7 and 24.5%, respectively, and for sows 40.5 and 60.4%, respectively. The prevalence in free range (FR) finishers was significantly higher (44.6%) than in intensively housed finishers in 1999, identifying a hazard group for possible extra pork and pork product contamination. Of 406 finishing herds, 9% were completely seronegative for Salmonella (cut-off OD%>10). Of these 406 finishing herds, 69.7% had Salmonella-status I (low prevalence), 21.7% status II (moderate prevalence) and 8.6% status III (high prevalence) (cut-off OD%>40). In 46 multiplying sow herds, 20 breeding sow herds and 20 matching replacement gilt herds, the average herd prevalences were 54, 44.4 and 19.3%, respectively. Two gilt herds were completely seronegative. The prevalence in the gilt herds was never higher than in the matching breeding sow herds. Agreement on methodology and calibration of ELISA tests would make these results comparable between countries and is a prerequisite for a co-ordinated and integrated program to reduce Salmonella in pork in the European Union.     

Cross-sectional survey in pig breeding farms in Hesse, Germany: seroprevalence and risk factors of infections with Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp. and Neospora caninum in sows

A cross-sectional survey was performed to estimate the prevalences of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (ELISA, IFAT), Sarcocystis spp. (ELISA, using S. miescheriana as antigen) and Neospora caninum (ELISA, immunoblotting) in sows from breeding farms in southern Hesse, Germany. A total of 2041 plasma samples of sows from 94 randomly selected farms was examined. Data on farm profiles, husbandry management and sows were collected by a questionnaire and exploratively analysed. For T. gondii the ELISA results agreed well with the results obtained by IFAT (kappa=0.71). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected by ELISA in 19% of the sows. Sixty-nine percent of the farms had at least one seropositive sow, and a within-farm seroprevalence of >or=50% was observed in 14% of all farms. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was positively correlated with the age of sows. The within-herd seroprevalence was significantly higher in farms with reproductive disorders than in those without such problems. On the farm level, the farm type 'piglet production' (versus 'pedigree breeding' or 'farrow-to-finish') was the only risk factor associated with the presence of T. gondii-seropositive sows. Antibodies to Sarcocystis spp. were found in 29% of the sows. Seventy-two percent of the farms harboured at least one seropositive sow, and a within-farm seroprevalence of >or=50% was detected in 23% of all farms. The seroprevalence increased significantly with the age of sows. On the farm level, only the farm type 'piglet production' (versus 'pedigree breeding') and the replacement of sows by purchasing (versus raising on the own farm) were identified as risk factors for seropositivity. Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in one sow using both the screening ELISA and the confirmatory immunoblotting technique. This may indicate the first natural N. caninum infection in pigs.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity in sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Risk factors for the spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in sows have not been studied although vertical transmission from sows to their offspring is considered a significant risk factor in the development of enzootic pneumonia in growers and finishers. Seropositivity for M. hyopneumoniae in sows, as assessed by commercial ELISA, is a possible indicator of infection pressure among sows. The objective of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and associated risk factors of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2578 sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany. Data concerning general herd characteristics, acclimatisation practices, indoor and outside contacts, as well as data describing the immediate local environment were collected during a herd visit via questionnaire. Blood samples were seropositive in 65% of the 2578 sows, and all herds had ≥14% seropositive sows. Data analysis was performed in two steps. First, univariate analysis of predictor variables for the risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was performed using chi-square test. Secondly, all variables associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (P ≤ 0.25) were included in a multivariate model using a generalised linear model. The risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was increased in herds with two- or three-site production (OR 1.50), when piglets were not vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae (OR 1.81), in herds with a 2-week farrowing intervals (OR 1.84) and in herds without all-in/all-out management of the farrowing units (OR 1.37). The lack of an acclimatisation period for replacement boars was also associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (OR 2.10). The results indicate that M. hyopneumoniae seropositivity is common in sows in north-west Germany and is influenced by various management factors. It is recommended that evaluation of sow herd management should be included in any strategic health plan to control M. hyopneumoniae infection.     

华南地区猪群猪流感病毒病原学和血清学调查

为了解华南地区猪群中猪流感病毒(SIV)的流行及其遗传变异情况,本研究从2016年~2017年广东、广西等地猪群236份猪肺脏病料组织和143份鼻拭子样品中分离鉴定得到3株SIV,全基因组测序和遗传演化分析结果显示,3个分离株均属于H1N1亚型欧亚类禽分支SIV,并且均与pdm09分支病毒株发生了重组。HA蛋白分子特征分析结果显示,A/Swine/Guangxi/NK/2016 HA蛋白第23位糖基化位点发生了缺失。3265份血清样品抗体监测结果显示,欧亚类禽H1N1、pdm09 H1N1和H3N2 SIV的血清抗体阳性率分别为27.53%、20.98%和34.85%。另外,0.64%的(21份)血清样品为H9N2亚型流感病毒抗体阳性,并且猪群中不同亚型和不同分支SIV之间混合感染的情况非常普遍。猪群中流感病毒血清抗体监测结果显示,EA H1N1、pdm09和H3N2亚型SIV HI抗体滴度最高均可达到1:1280,而H9N2亚型HI抗体滴度最高为1:160,表明H9N2 AIV虽然可以感染猪,但对猪还不适应。各月份的血清抗体阳性率分析显示,SIV的流行具有季节性,冬季(11月、12月和1月份)的流行最为严重。本研究可为华南地区猪群SI防控及疫苗株的筛选提供参考依据。     

Biosecurity in 116 Danish fattening swineherds: descriptive results and factor analysis

Biosecurity measures are important for the herd's protection against diseases and also to provide nationwide protection against the introduction of exotic diseases. In this paper, we describe the farmers’ choices and routines regarding biosecurity in Danish fattening herds.

Overall, 116 Danish swine fattening herds in three areas of different pig density were interviewed.

Of these herds, 78% purchased weaners from one sow herd only, whereas 10% purchased from >5 sow herds during 1 year. Large herds (>500 finishers) purchased weaners more often than smaller herds (≤500 finishers). Only two swine producers purchased weaners from a market. Almost all herds (95%) received weaners from one sow herd at one time, and only one herd received from >5 sow herds in one batch. Twenty-one percent did not use an effective barrier between the loading area and the stables when delivering pigs for slaughter. Entry rooms (in which clothing and boots are changed) were common at the farm, and the numbers of visitors were generally low (<10 visitors a year).

Factor analysis was performed to find underlying structures of the biosecurity measures in the herd; four factors were chosen (eigenvalue > 3.10). A site scoring high on factor 1 was a large SPF herd, which received weaners from a single source, had biosecurity requirements for the transport vehicles, and had a high level of biosecurity for visitors. A site scoring high on factor 2 was a multi-site farm, which had personnel working on more than one of the sites, only received weaners from one sow herd, had delivering herds placed close to the participating site, and transported animals themselves. A site scoring high on factor 3 was a site which hired commercial transport for slaughter, was situated far from the abattoir and had a high level of biosecurity when loading pigs. A production site scoring high on factor 4 was a large site, which used all-in/all-out management, washed and disinfected between each group, and purchased many weaners.     

First report of seroprevalence of swine influenza a virus in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China

Swine influenza A virus (SIV) is zoonotic pathogen that can be acquired by food-borne transmission because food animals, for example pigs, are recognized as a reservoir. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SIV (H1N1 and H3N2) in Tibetan pigs in Tibet Nationality Autonomous Region, China, a region with cold weather and high altitude. A total of 421 serum samples were randomly collected from Tibetan pigs in Tibet and were evaluated for antibodies against SIV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 52 % (219/421) of the animals was positive for H1N1, 16.9 % (71/421) positive for H3N2, and 8.8 % (37/421) positive for both H1N1 and H3N2. The results of the present survey indicated that SIV is highly prevalent among Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China. The results of the present investigation have implications for the ongoing control of SIV infection in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China and elsewhere.     

Prevalence of pseudorabies virus infection and associated infections in six large swine herds in Illinois.

Sera were collected from 6 large farrow-to-finish swine herds infected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) in Illinois. All herds were participating in the Large Herd Cleanup Study, a USDA-initiated project to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating pseudorabies from large farms (greater than 400 sows) by use of a combination of vaccination and management changes. Herd size ranged between 425 and 1,500 breeding females. Between April and July 1990, sera for measurement of PRV antibodies were obtained from 113 to 156 sows and 112 to 162 finishing pigs (body weight greater than 70 kg)/herd. Duplicate sera from 30 sows and 30 market-weight pigs/herd were obtained for measurement of serum antibodies to the following associated organisms: swine influenza virus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Eperythrozoon suis, and 6 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Prevalence of PRV antibodies attributable to field virus infection ranged between 53.8 and 100% for sows and between 0.7 and 97.3% for finishing pigs, as determined by the appropriate differential test for the vaccine being used on each farm. In only 1 herd, PRV seroprevalence was increased with higher sow parity. For associated infections, the risk of seropositivity attributable to PRV was not significant (for most infections) on all farms and varied among farms. Thus, pseudorabies did not appear, in general, to increase susceptibility to infection with other disease agents.     

Evidence of the concurrent circulation of H1N2, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in densely populated pig areas in Spain

This paper reports on a serological and virological survey for swine influenza virus (SIV) in densely populated pig areas in Spain. The survey was undertaken to examine whether the H1N2 SIV subtype circulates in pigs in these areas, as in other European regions. Six hundred sow sera from 100 unvaccinated breeding herds across Northern and Eastern Spain were examined using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests against H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2 SIV subtypes. Additionally, 225 lung samples from pigs with respiratory problems were examined for the presence of SIV by virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and by a commercial membrane immunoassay. The virus isolates were further identified by HI and RT-PCR followed by partial cDNA sequencing. The HI test on sera revealed the presence of antibodies against at least one of the SIV subtypes in 83% of the herds and in 76.3% of the animals studied. Of the 600 sow sera tested, 109 (18.2%), 60 (10%) and 41 (6.8%) had SIV antibodies to subtype H1N2 alone, H3N2 alone and H1N1 alone, respectively. Twelve H3N2 viruses, 9 H1N1 viruses and 1 H1N2 virus were isolated from the lungs of pigs with respiratory problems. The analysis of a 436 nucleotide sequence of the neuraminidase gene from the H1N2 strain isolated further confirmed its identity. Demonstrably, swine influenza is still endemic in the studied swine population and a new subtype, the H1N2, may be becoming established and involved in clinical outbreaks of the disease in Spain.     

Eradication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by serum inoculation of na?ve gilts

The acclimatization program included exposure to serum and recovery. A continuous flow unit (nursery to finishing) from the same farm was selected as a potential source of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Negative gilts were inoculated 5 d after arrival by intramuscular injection of serum from selected animals. There was a significant reduction in seroprevalence in the sow herd 1 y after implementation of the gilt inoculation program (P < 0.05). At that time, all of the tested nursery pigs were negative for PRRSV. The fully segregated finisher population had a significant reduction in the frequency of PRRSV positive animals (P < 0.05) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with all animals testing negative by the end of the study. However a persistent seroconversion was observed in the partially segregated finisher pigs (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the gilt serum inoculation program achieved sow herd stabilization, as defined by the production of negative weaned pigs and this resulted in the eradication of PRRSV in the fully segregated flow.     

Molecular characterization of an H1N2 swine influenza virus isolated in Miyazaki, Japan, in 2006

Swine influenza virus (SIV) was isolated from a farm in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan in July 2006. An isolate was genetically subtyped as H1N2 and was designated A/swine/Miyazaki/1/2006 (H1N2). The nucleotide sequences of all eight viral RNA segments were determined, and then phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighbor-joining method. All segments were shown to be closely related to those of Japanese SIV H1N2 isolates, which have been circulating since the 1980s. The results indicate the persistence of the SIV H1N2 subtype in the Japanese pig population for more than two decades and emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance for SIV.     

Estimation of seroprevalence of encephalomyocarditis in Dutch sow herds using the virus neutralization test

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) has been found on pig farms worldwide and can cause myocarditis in young pigs and reproduction disorders in sows. So far, clinical signs of EMCV have not been reported in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of EMCV infection in Dutch sow herds. A total of 277 Dutch sow herds were randomly selected, from which 3237 serum samples were collected. These samples were tested for EMCV antibodies using the virus neutralization test (VN test). The apparent prevalence of EMCV antibodies was 9.3% in the total sow population, and the apparent herd prevalence was 58.8%. An exact determination of the prevalence of EMCV infections in the Dutch sow population was not possible because the characteristics of the VN test under field circumstances were not known. However, Dutch sow herds seem to be infected with EMCV because the distribution of positive blood samples in the tested sow population was significantly different from that expected if random false-positive reactions had occurred.     

Prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica shedding and bioserotype distribution in Ontario finisher pig herds in 2001, 2002, and 2004

We investigated characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica infection in Ontario finisher pig herds. Our specific objectives were to estimate or test: prevalence of Y. enterocolitica shedding in finisher pigs, bioserotype distribution, agreement between the herd-level tests based on sampling pig and pooled fecal samples, whether bioserotypes cluster by farms, and whether Y. enterocolitica-positive herds cluster spatially. In total, 3747 fecal samples were collected from 100 farms over the years 2001, 2002, and 2004 (250 total herd visits). Fecal samples were tested by culture and positive isolates were biotyped and serotyped.Apparent pig-level prevalence of Y. enterocolitica was 1.8%, 3.2%, and 12.5% in 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. Estimated true pig-level prevalence of Y. enterocolitica was 5.1%, 9.1%, and 35.1% in 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. Herd-level prevalence was 16.3%, 17.9%, and 37.5% in 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. In all years, the most common bioserotype was 4, O:3, followed by bioserotype 2, O:5,27. Kappa between herd-level status based on pig and pooled samples ranged between 0.51 and 0.68 for biotype 1A and bioserotype 4, O:3, respectively. For 4, O:3, a significant bias in discordant pairs was detected, indicating that pig samples were more sensitive than pooled samples in declaring a herd as positive. Farms tended to be repeatedly positive with the same bioserotype, but positive study farms did not cluster spatially (suggesting lack of between herd transmission and lack of a common geographic risk factor).     

Seroprevalence and risk factors of swine influenza in Spain

Swine influenza is caused by type A influenza virus. Pigs can be infected by both avian and human influenza viruses; therefore, the influenza virus infection in pigs is considered an important public health concern. The aims of present study were to asses the seroprevalence of swine influenza subtypes in Spain and explore the risk factors associated with the spread of those infections. Serum samples from 2151 pigs of 98 randomly selected farms were analyzed by an indirect ELISA for detection of antibodies against nucleoprotein A of influenza viruses and by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) using H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 swine influenza viruses (SIV) as antigens. Data gathered in questionnaires filled for each farm were used to explore risk factors associated with swine influenza. For that purpose, data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equations method and, in parallel by means of a logistic regression. By ELISA, 92 farms (93.9%; CI(95%): 89.1-98.7%) had at least one positive animal and, in total, 1340/2151 animals (62.3%; CI(95%): 60.2-64.3%) were seropositive. A total of 1622 animals (75.4%; CI(95%): 73.6-77.2%) were positive in at least one of the HI tests. Of the 98 farms, 91 (92.9%; CI(95%): 87.7-98.1%) had H1N1 seropositive animals; 63 (64.3%; CI(95%): 54.6-73.9%) had H1N2 seropositive pigs and 91 (92.9%; CI(95%): 87.7-98.1%) were positive to H3N2. Mixed infections were detected in 88 farms (89.8; CI(95%): 83.7-95.9%). Three risk factors were associated with seroprevalences of SIV: increased replacement rates in pregnancy units and, for fatteners, existence of open partitions between pens and uncontrolled entrance to the farm.     

Investigation of exposure to swine influenza viruses in Ontario (Canada) finisher herds in 2004 and 2005

The epidemiology of influenza in the North American swine population has changed since the emergence of a triple-reassortant H3N2 influenza virus. Although seen previously in North America, the Ontario swine population had likely been free of viruses of the reassortant H3N2 lineage until 2005. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and distribution of exposure to H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes in the Ontario finisher pig population prior to and after the H3N2 outbreak that occurred in 2005. This included investigating prevalence and spatial distribution of positive herds, assessing proportion of random variation at different hierarchical levels, and evaluating selected demographic factors and management procedures as potential risk factors. In total, 919 and 978 sera collected in cross-sectional studies from 46 and 49 finisher herds in 2004 and 2005 were tested by a H1N1 subtype-specific and a H3N2 subtype-specific commercial ELISA. For the H1N1 subtype, the point prevalence of positive herds (>3 reactors) was 19.5% and 30.6% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. For the H3N2 subtype the point prevalence of positive herds (>3 reactors) was 6.5% and 40.8% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Sera from 2004 that were positive on H3N2 ELISA did not cross-react with any of the H3N2 variants used as antigen on a sequential HI test. Only herds positive for H3N2 subtype in 2005 clustered in space (P<0.01). The H1N1 status in 2005 was associated with the H1N1 status in 2004, and with reported distance to the nearest herd. The H3N2 status in 2005 was associated with reported distance to the nearest herd and a type of replacement gilt source. For H3N2, distance seemed to be important even after controlling for type of gilt source. Most variability in seropositivity was between herds with little variability between pens. This study confirms that in 2005, the epidemic H3N2 subtype co-circulated with endemic H1N1 subtype in the Ontario finisher herds. We concluded that in Ontario, the endemic H1N1 subtype was likely maintained through circulation within herds and sites with common flow. Whereas the transmission of epidemic H3N2 subtype was attributed to local spread, which could include different modes of direct, indirect, and airborne transmission. We emphasize the importance of establishing routine monitoring systems that would allow using molecular tools, and maintaining serum banks as a useful resource for retrospective comparisons.     

部分省市猪群猪流感的血清学调查及猪流感病毒的分离与鉴定

对黑龙江、吉林、辽宁、安徽、山东、内蒙、河南、河北、江苏、安徽、浙江、湖北、福建、广东、海南、上海等省、市猪群进行了猪流感的血清学和病原学调查研究。从 130 6份猪鼻棉拭子样品和死亡猪肺、气管样品中分离到 39株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒 ,12株 H1亚型猪流感病毒及其它亚型猪流感病毒 ,病毒粒子在透射电镜下呈现典型的正粘病毒特征 ,有囊膜和纤突 ,多为椭圆形、圆形、或杆形 ,直径约 80～ 12 0 nm。对 1997- 2 0 0 1年 3895份猪血清的血清学调查结果表明 ,近年中国多个地区猪群存在抗SWTN77(H1)、SWCO77(H3)、DKAT6 9(H1)、TKUK6 3(H3)流感病毒抗体 ;1998年来自河北的猪血清中抗 SWTN77阳性率高达 33.3% ;1999年来自内蒙的猪血清中抗 TKUK6 3和SWCO77阳性率分别为 13.3%和 2 6 .7% ;2 0 0 0- 2 0 0 1年调查的所有省市的猪群中均存在抗SWCO77抗体 ,阳性率从 3.2 %～ 10 0 %。说明近年我国猪群中 H3亚型猪流感的污染相当普遍     

Comparison of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with hemagglutination inhibition assay for serodiagnosis of swine influenza virus (H1N1) infection.

A commercial indirect swine influenza virus (SIV) H1N1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was compared with the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay by testing 72 samples from experimentally infected pigs and 780 field samples of undefined SIV status. The HI assay was performed using SIV isolates A/Swine/IA/73 for H1N1 and A/Swine/IA/8548-1/98 for H3N2. The ELISA used an SIV isolated in 1988. The results showed that HI and ELISA detected an antibody in 11 and 6, respectively, of 72 serum samples collected from pigs experimentally infected with a 1992 SIV isolate (A/Swine/IA/40776/92). The presence of antibodies in these experimental samples was confirmed by HI tests in which all 72 samples were positive against the homologous virus, a more recent H1N1 SIV isolate (A/Swine/NVSL/01) supplied by National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, Iowa, and a 1999 H1N1 isolate currently used in a commercial vaccine. On testing 780 field samples, an overall agreement of 85.5% was generated between the HI and ELISA. This study demonstrated that the ELISA is a useful serodiagnostic screening test at herd level for detecting swine antibodies against SIV. However, a new SIV isolate representing current SIV strains circulating in the field is needed to replace the older isolates used in the HI and ELISA to increase the test accuracy for serodiagnosis of SIV.     

Prevalence of clinical signs of disease in Danish finisher pigs

Between December 1999 and February 2001, two visits, eight weeks apart, were made to 90 herds of Danish finisher pigs. The prevalence of clinical signs was recorded by three veterinary technicians from the Danish Bacon and Meat Council according to a standardised procedure; they had been trained and their observations were monitored and validated before and during the study. A total of 154,347 finisher pigs were examined and 22,136 clinical signs were recorded. Vices accounted for 43 per cent of the signs. The highest mean prevalence was observed for ear necrosis (4.44 per cent), followed by respiratory signs (2.17 per cent), lameness (1.92 per cent), other skin diseases (1.73 per cent), tail bites (1.26 per cent), umbilical hernia (0.78 per cent), flank bites (0.52 per cent), diarrhoea (0.27 per cent), respiratory distress (0.12 per cent), atrophic rhinitis (0.10 per cent), recumbency (0.09 per cent) and central nervous disease (0.05 per cent). The prevalence of atrophic rhinitis was higher in conventional herds than in specific pathogen-free herds. The prevalence of clinical signs of atrophic rhinitis was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg than among finishers weighing up to 50 kg, and the prevalence of respiratory signs was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg then among finishers weighing 76 to 100 kg.