Epidemiology and control of Menangle virus in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and eradication of Menangle virus infection in pigs. DESIGN: Field observations and interventions, structured and unstructured serological surveys, prospective and cross-sectional serological studies and laboratory investigations. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were collected from pigs at a 2600-sow intensive piggery in New South Wales that experienced an outbreak of reproductive disease in 1997. Serum samples were also collected from piggeries that received pigs from or supplied pigs to the affected piggery and from other piggeries in Australia. Serum and tissue samples were collected from pigs at piggeries experiencing reproductive disease in New South Wales. Sera and faeces were collected from grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in the region of the affected piggery. Serum samples were tested for neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Virus isolation was attempted from faeces. RESULTS: Following the outbreak of reproductive disease, sera from 96% of adult pigs at the affected piggery, including sows that produced affected litters, contained neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Neutralising antibodies were also detected in sera from 88% of finisher pigs at two piggeries receiving weaned pigs from the affected piggery. No evidence of Menangle virus infection was found in other piggeries in Australia. In cross-sectional studies at the affected piggery, colostral antibodies were undetectable in most pigs by 14 to 15 weeks of age. By slaughter age or entry to the breeding herd, 95% of pigs developed high antibody titres (> or = 128) against Menangle virus in the virus neutralisation test. Menangle virus was eradicated from the affected piggery following a program of serological testing and segregation. Neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus were also detected in P poliocephalus from two colonies in the vicinity of the affected piggery. Two piggery workers were infected with Menangle virus. There was no evidence of infection in cattle, sheep, birds, rodents, feral cats and a dog at the affected piggery. CONCLUSIONS: Serological evidence of infection with Menangle virus was detected in pigs at a piggery that had experienced reproductive disease, in pigs at two associated piggeries and in fruit bats in the region of the piggery. Two humans were infected. The mode of transmission between pigs is unknown, but spread by faecal or urinary excretion is postulated. This virus can be eradicated by the segregation of pigs into discrete age groups.     

Transmission of classical swine fever virus within herds during the 1997-1998 epidemic in The Netherlands

In this paper, we describe the transmission of Classical Swine Fever virus (CSF virus) within herds during the 1997–1998 epidemic in the Netherlands. In seven herds where the infection started among individually housed breeding stock, all breeding pigs had been tested for antibodies to CSF virus shortly before depopulation. Based upon these data, the transmission of CSF virus between pigs was described as exponential growth in time with a parameter r, that was estimated at 0.108 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.060–0.156). The accompanying per-generation transmission (expressed as the basic reproduction ratio, R₀) was estimated at 2.9. Based upon this characterisation, a calculation method was derived with which serological findings at depopulation can be used to calculate the period in which the virus was with a certain probability introduced into that breeding stock. This model was used to estimate the period when the virus had been introduced into 34 herds where the infection started in the breeding section. Of these herds, only a single contact with a herd previously infected had been traced. However, in contrast with the seven previously mentioned herds, only a sample of the breeding pigs had been tested before depopulation (as was the common procedure during the epidemic). The observed number of days between the single contact with an infected herd and the day of sampling of these 34 herds fitted well in the model. Thus, we concluded that the model and transmission parameter was in agreement with the transmission between breeding pigs in these herds.

Because of the limited sample size and because it was usually unknown in which specific pen the infection started, we were unable to estimate transmission parameters for weaned piglets and finishing pigs from the data collected during the epidemic. However, from the results of controlled experiments in which R₀ was estimated as 81 between weaned piglets and 14 between heavy finishing pigs (Laevens et al., 1998a. Vet. Quart. 20, 41–45; Laevens et al., 1999. Ph.D. Thesis), we constructed a simple model to describe the transmission of CSF virus in compartments (rooms) housing finishing pigs and weaned piglets. From the number of pens per compartment, the number of pigs per pen, the numbers of pigs tested for antibodies to CSF virus and the distribution of the seropositive pigs in the compartment, this model gives again a period in which the virus most probably entered the herd. Using the findings in 41 herds where the infection started in the section of the finishers or weaned piglets of the age of 8 weeks or older, and of which only a single contact with a herd previously infected was known, there was no reason to reject the model. Thus, we concluded that the transmission between weaned piglets and finishing pigs during the epidemic was not significantly different from the transmission observed in the experiments.     

Neutrophil Phagocytosis Following Inoculation of Salmonella choleraesuis into Swine

Neutrophils are an important mediator of host defence, especially in early stages of infection. A major function of neutrophils is the uptake and killing of invading microbes. Little is known about the effect of neutrophil activity on the pathogenesis and development of the carrier state in swine following infection with Salmonella choleraesuis. A human whole-blood microassay using flow cytometry was modified to measure the effect of S. choleraesuis infection in vivo on the rate of ingestion, or rate of uptake, of homologous bacteria by porcine neutrophils. Pigs were inoculated intranasally with 5–8×10⁸ CFU S. choleraesuis and blood was collected in heparinized tubes at –5, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days post inoculation (PI). Heat-killed S. choleraesuis were labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and incubated for various times with diluted whole blood. Red blood cells were lysed, external non-phagocytized bacteria were quenched with a commercially available lysing solution, and fluorescence from internalized bacteria labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate was detected by flow cytometry. The rate of uptake by neutrophils did not increase until 2 days PI and then remained elevated to 4 days PI. The minimal uptake of S. choleraesuis early after exposure to these organisms may provide an opportunity for the pathogen to colonize and/or replicate to levels that facilitate establishment of a carrier state or clinical infection in swine.     

Prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) in pig faeces from slaughterhouses in Spain

A study to estimate the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in faecal samples from pigs at slaughterhouses in Spain was carried out between November 1998 and January 1999 with 900 samples taken from four abattoirs representing 9.7% of all pig slaughtered in 1998. Using a selective enrichment broth with vancomycin (8 μg/ml), 64 samples (7.1%; 95% CI: 5.5, 9.0%) had E. faecium vancomycin-resistant strains that showed minimal inhibitory concentrations of 256 μg/ml (62 strains) and 512 μg/ml (two strains). Results by farm showed that 43 of the 240 pig farms represented in the sampling had at least one faecal sample with vancomycin-resistant E. faecium.     

滇南小耳猪与巴马小型猪SLA-DQA基因多态分析

对滇南小耳猪和巴马小型猪的SLA-DQA基因的部分内含子1、完整的外显子2和部分内含子2共341bp片段进行了PCR-RFLP酶切分型,结果表明：2品种经EcoR Ⅰ酶切后BB基因型频率（0.468 8）高于AB型（0.375 0）,AA型最低（0.156 3）,B为优势基因（0.656 3）,A为劣势基因（0.343 7）.经AluⅠ酶切后,滇南小耳猪MM基因型频率（0.500 0）高于MN型（0.321 4）和NN型（0.178 6）;而巴马猪则以MN基因型频率（0.485 3）高于MM型（0.338 2）和NN型（0.176 5）;2个品种中M等位基因（0.604 2）频率高于N等位基因（0.395 8）.经分析表明,2猪种在两酶切位点上各分型已达Hardy-Weinberg平衡.巴马小型猪和滇南小耳猪中分别存在9种和7种PCR-RFLP组合基因型,其中BBMN为优势组合基因型,AAMN为劣势组合基因型;AAMM组合基因型在2品种间差异显著（P＜0.05）.遗传多态参数分析表明：SLA-DQA基因外显子2的两酶切位点在2猪种间均表现为中度多态,AluⅠ的基因多样性略高于EcoRⅠ,巴马小型猪杂合性略高于滇南小耳猪,2品种间遗传距离为0.000 4.     

Changes in hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs fed betaine

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on carcass characteristics, hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (Seghers × Seghers × Duroc) weighing about 55 kg were divided into two groups, each with three replicates of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) per replicate, and fed corn–soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0 and 0.125% betaine for 42 days. At trial termination, two pigs (one barrow and one gilt) weighing about 90 kg were selected from each replicate and slaughtered for analyses. The results showed that betaine increased carcass lean percentage and longissimus muscle area by 5.19% (P < 0.01) and 17.85% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased carcass fat percentage and average backfat thickness by 13.07% (P < 0.01) and 10.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and insulin levels in pigs fed betaine were elevated by 45.61% (P < 0.01), 55.50% (P < 0.01), 57.95% (P < 0.01), 51.80% (P < 0.01) and 42.34% (P < 0.05), respectively. Fatty acid synthase activity in the 10th rib subcutaneous adipose tissue was decreased by 24.35% (P < 0.05) with betaine supplementation, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum free fatty acids concentration in betaine-fed pigs was 25.75% higher compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that betaine could induce changes in hormones and growth factor in finishing pigs, and therefore could inhibit fat synthesis through reducing lipogenic enzymes activities and promote fat degradation by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity, with a resultant decrease in adipose tissue mass and improvement in carcass characteristics.     

无磷酸氢钙日粮对生长猪的影响研究

将48头杜×长×大三元杂交生长猪随机分为两组,分别饲喂正常磷水平日粮和无磷酸氢钙日粮,结果表明:与正常磷水平日粮相比,无磷酸氢钙日粮可显著提高磷的表观消化率(P<0.05),增加猪场的纯收入,减少粪中磷的排放以保护猪场周边的生态环境。     

Effects of different types of dietary non-digestible carbohydrates on the physico-chemical properties and microbiota of proximal colon digesta of growing pigs

The effect of different types of fibre on the intestinal digesta and microbial diversity was evaluated in growing pigs. The animals were fed during forty-two days with one of four experimental diets including a control group, a diet enriched with resistant starch type I, by coarse ground corn, and other two diets containing sugar beet pulp (8%) and wheat bran (10%) (as sources of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides respectively). Body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were assessed at day 7, 21 and 42. Luminal samples of digesta from proximal colon were collected to analyse water retention capacity (WRC), concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and the microbial diversity. Overall, animals fed with higher amounts of non-digestible carbohydrates had lower ADFI and BW. Sugar beet pulp provoked an increase of WRC, a higher concentration of SCFA, and a more stable microbial diversity throughout the experimental period. On the other hand, animals fed with wheat bran presented a lower bacterial diversity.     

Genome-wide Association Study on Alive Litter Size Trait in Bama Xiang Pigs

In order to identify the molecular markers related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs,the genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to map and screen the candidate genes affecting the alive litter size trait.Ear tissue samples of 297 Bama Xiang pigs with multiple parity records were collected,and DNA was extracted and genotyped by porcine 50K SNP beadchip.After quality control and genotype imputation,the alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs were GWAS by Tassel.The results showed that the average number born alive per litter of Bama Xiang pigs increased gradually with the increasing of parity in the range of 1-9 parities.A total of 32 816 SNPs were obtained after quality control and filtration.8 SNPs related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs were screened by genome-wide association analysis,which were significant at genome or chromosome level.Based on the enrichment analysis of the coding genes in the region between 500 kb upstream and downstream of the associated significant SNP loci,and the QTL regions and gene functions related to porcine reproductive traits,4 genes (CAPZB,MSH3,CITED2 and HSD17B7) were finally identified to be candidate genes related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs.     

铜的来源和水平对生长猪生长性能禾粪铜排出量的影响

选用平均体重29．6kg的三元杂（杜×大×长）生长猪144头，按随机区组设计分为6个处理。饲粮中分别添加0、100、200mg／kg硫酸铜、200mg／kg碱式氯化铜、100mg／kg小肽铜、100mg／kg复合氨基酸螯合铜（以铜含量计）。结果表明：100mg／kg小肽铜和100mg／kg复合氨基酸螯合铜均能有效提高生长猪日增重和日采食量，其促生长效果与200mg／kg硫酸铜无显著（P〉0．05）差异，而粪中铜含量分别下降了36．8％和48．4％（P〈0．05）。