Abstract:

Evaluation of the thermo-assisted drying and decontamination system for sanitation of a full-size transport vehicle contaminated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

S. A. Dee, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVM; M. Torremorell, DVM, PhD; R. Thompson, DVM, MS; J. P. Cano, DVM; J. Deen, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ABVP; C. Pijoan, DVM, PhD

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Objectives: To determine whether full-size livestock trailers serve as a source of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection for naive swine, to test the thermo-assisted drying and decontamination (TADD) system in full-size trailers, and to test a method to quantify moisture in trailers post TADD.

Methods: Five donor pigs infected with PRRSV (Day 0) were confined within a full-size trailer for a 4-hour contamination period on Days 3 to 7 (five replicates). After each contamination period, a group of five PRRSV-naive recipients (25 pigs total) replaced the donor pigs in the pen for 4 hours. The pen was not washed or sanitized between donor and recipient groups. Recipients were tested for PRRSV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) post exposure. To test the efficacy of TADD, the trailer was washed, 15 pre-selected interior sites were contaminated with PRRSV, and the TADD system was applied for 2 hours. Swabs collected from the sites at 0, 60, and 120 minutes post treatment were tested by RT-PCR and swine bioassay. A drag-swab technique was developed to measure residual moisture post TADD.

Results: Infection of recipient pigs was observed in three replicates. At 0 and 60 but not 120 minutes post TADD, trailer swabs were RT-PCR-positive. Moisture in the drag swabs differed (P < .001) at 0, 60, and 120 minutes post TADD.

Implications: Under the conditions of this study, PRRSV-contaminated transport vehicles are a source of infection for naive pigs. The TADD system is efficacious for decontaminating and drying PRRSV-positive trailers.

Keywords: porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, PRRSV, thermo-assisted drying and decontamination system, biosecurity

Cite as: Dee SA, Torremorell M, Thompson R, et al. Evaluation of the thermo-assisted drying and decontamination system for sanitation of a full-size transport vehicle contaminated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. J Swine Health Prod 2007;15(1):12-18.

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