Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
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Antigenicity
- Isolates vary in virulence
- Some are subclinical
Hosts
- Pigs: aka Blue Ear or Lelystad virus
Pathogenesis
- Infects alveolar macrophages, followed by interstitial pneumonitis
- Persistent infection of Monocytes followed by leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
- Mostly affects piglets
- In adults, cyanotic appearance due to vascular lesions
- Transplacental spread leads to abortion, mummification, or resorption
Epidemiology
- Discovered in Holland in 1990
- Highly contagious
- Survives well on fomites
- Transfer may also be aerosol or via semen
- Exacerbated by immunosuppression (eg by porcine circovirus 2)
Diagnosis
- Clinical signs:
- Thumping respiration
- Abortions
- Flushed skin
- Eyelid oedema
- Weak or dying piglets
- ELISA for virus antibody
- Rising antibody titres as a retrospective diagnosis (4X increase)
Control
- Certified Specific Pathogen Free units exclude by quarantine
- Management: all in/all out, screening AI semen
- Vaccine available