01-03-1994
Article by:
Wayne R. Freese, DVM and HanSoo Joo, DVM, PhD
We report a case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus infection that appeared to spontaneously stop spreading. We compared serologic profiles of this 250-sow farm (herd A) with those of another 300-sow farm (herd B), both with a previous history of PRRS.
In November 1992, we collected serum samples from pigs of different age groups (from I week to 3 years old) from both herds. We tested PRRS virus antibody titers by an indirect-fluorescent antibody (IFA) method. IFA titers of >1:16 were detected in 20 of 129 pigs (15.5%) from herd A and 73 of 158 pigs (46.2%) from herd B.
In April 1993, none of 30 pigs between 4-26 weeks of age from herd A were seropositive, while all 60 pigs of the same age group from herd B were seropositive. A group of IS gilts in herd A, introduced in January 1992 from a form showing no clinical signs of PRRS, remained seronegative.
No PRRS virus was isolated in April 1993 from 30 serum samples from pigs 5-10 weeks old in herd A, while virus was isolated from 4 of 28 sera from pigs of a similar age in herd B. PRRS virus stopped spreading in herd A, while the infection is still endemic in herd B.
