Abstract:

Elimination of porcine respiratory coronavirus by early weaning and segregation

Sue Burlatschenko, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Swine Health Management), MPH; Christa Arsenault, DVM

PDF version is available online.

Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) is considered a variant of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). This virus is endemic in North America. Porcine respiratory coronavirus and TGEV may be differentiated on the basis of a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Negative status for PRCV is required by certain countries wishing to import swine from North America. A study was conducted to determine if PRCV-negative piglets could be produced from PRCV-positive sows by early weaning and removal off-site for rearing. Forty piglets were early weaned from a PRCV-positive sow herd and tested monthly for PRCV antibodies and virus for a total of 4 months. While some piglets tested positive for PRCV at the beginning of the study, all pigs tested negative at the end of the study. This study demonstrates a method by which PRCV-negative animals may be attained for the purposes of export to countries requiring PRCV-negative status.

Keywords: porcine respiratory coronavirus, maternal antibody, early weaning, PRCV

Cite as: Burlatschenko S, Arsenault C. Elimination of porcine respiratory coronavirus by early weaning and segregation. J Swine Health Prod 2015;23(4):208-213.

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