Tongue Tips Exudate: An Alternative Specimen for PRRSV RNA Detection

August 3, 2022 — 

Population-based sampling schemes do not cover all pig production phases, such as stillborn and newborn pig groups.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus remains one of the most challenging pathogens for swine production with a total cost of $664 million annually to swine production in the United States (1). Characterizing the activity of PRRSV in herds over time is critical to guiding biosecurity and disease management practices. The proportion of population-based samplings, e.g., processing fluids (2) and family oral fluids (3), compared to individual-based sampling methods, e.g., blood samples, for PRRSV monitoring in the U.S. swine industry has significantly increased (4). However, these population-based sampling schemes do not cover all pig production phases, e.g., stillborn and newborn pig groups.

Recently, an alternative method using tongue tips from dead pigs was shown to detect PRRSV RNA (5). The objective of this study was to characterize tongue tip sampling, comparing PRRSV detection by qPCR to other conventional methods. Validating an additional sample type allows the industry to expand options for monitoring and surveillance. Tongue tips may be a practical way to sample for risk-based sampling, as it targets dead animals. It also allows sampling of the stillbirth and neonatal losses population

Read the full story in National Hog Farmer.

[Source: National Hog Farmer 2 August 2022]