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==Pathogenesis==
==Pathogenesis==
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*Infects alveolar macrophages, followed by '''interstitial pneumonitis'''
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*Persistent infection of '''[[Monocytes]]''' followed by '''leukopenia and thrombocytopenia'''
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Transmission of PRRS virus to swine occurs most efficiently
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*Mostly affects '''piglets'''
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through direct contact. Blood, saliva, urine, milk
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*In adults, '''cyanotic''' appearance due to '''vascular lesions'''
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and semen from infected animals have been shown to
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*Transplacental spread leads to '''abortion, mummification, or resorption'''
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transmit PRRS virus to susceptible swine (Wills et al.,
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1997). Aerosol transmission may occur but has proven
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difficult to demonstrate even over relatively short distances
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(meters). Transmission by semen, either
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through natural service or artificial insemination is well
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established (Yaeger et al., 1993).
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Following exposure to PRRS virus, primary replication
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occurs in regional or mucosal macrophages (Rossow,
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1998; Rossow et al., 1996a). Typically macrophages of
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the tonsil, nasal and respiratory epithelium are sites of
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primary replication after oronasal exposure. Viremia
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can occur within 12 hours following exposure resulting
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in systemic dissemination of the virus. Lymphatic transport
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of PRRS virus and virus-infected macrophages to
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regional lymph nodes is also thought to occur.
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Secondary replication of PRRS virus occurs in monocyte/
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macrophages in many tissues. While other cell
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types, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, seminiferous
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epithelium and smooth muscle, have been reported
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to be PRRS virus-positive by in situ hybridization and/or
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immunohistochemistry, only cells of macrophage lineage
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have been unequivocally shown to support PRRS
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virus replication (Sur et al., 1997).
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In most swine, viremia resolves within 4-6 weeks following
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infection. However, PRRS virus can persist in
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lymphoid tissues, such as tonsil, for extended periods of
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time and be transmitted to susceptible swine (Zimmerman
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et al., 1992). PRRS virus has been detected for up
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to 225 days following inoculation, though the proportion
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of positive animals appears to drop off between 80 and
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100 days (Albina et al., 1994; Allende et al., 2000; Wills
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et al., 2003). Persistence occurs in the face of neutralizing
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and other antibodies, and cell mediated immune
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responses, as indicated by gamma-interferon producing
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cells. Studies indicate that a low T cell response
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contributes to prolonged PRRS clearance (Xiao et al.,
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2004). Persistence is of epidemiologic significance
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since persistently infected animals are capable of transmitting
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PRRS virus to susceptible pigs via direct contact
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(Albina et al., 1994). This is likely an important mechanism
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by which PRRS virus is maintained within, and
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transmitted between, swine herds.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==