Open Access
Issue
Vet. Res.
Volume 40, Number 4, July-August 2009
Number of page(s) 13
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres/2009022
Published online 21 April 2009
How to cite this article Vet. Res. (2009) 40:39
How to cite this article: Vet. Res. (2009) 40:39
DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009022

Evidence of long distance airborne transport of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Scott Dee, Satoshi Otake, Simone Oliveira and John Deen

Swine Disease Eradication Center, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, 385C Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building 1988 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA

Received 27 January 2009; accepted 17 April 2009; published online 21 April 2009

Abstract - The ability of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae to be transported over long distances via the airborne route was evaluated. A source population of 300 grow-finish pigs was experimentally inoculated with PRRSV MN-184 and M. hyopneumoniae 232 and over a 50-day period, air samples were collected at designated distances from the source herd using a liquid cyclonic collector. Samples were tested for the presence of PRRSV RNA and M. hyopneumoniae DNA by PCR and if positive, further characterized. Of the 306 samples collected, 4 (1.3%) were positive for PRRSV RNA and 6 (1.9%) were positive for M. hyopneumoniae DNA. The PRRSV-positive samples were recovered 4.7 km to the northwest (NW) of the source population. Four of the M. hyopneumoniae-positive samples were obtained at the NW sampling point; 2 samples at approximately 2.3 km and the other 2 samples approximately 4.7 km from the source population. Of the remaining 2 samples, one sample was obtained at the southeast sampling point and the other at the southwest sampling point, with both locations being approximately 4.7 km from the source. The four PRRSV-positive samples contained infectious virus and were $\ge$ 98.8% homologous to the MN-184 isolate used to inoculate the source population. All 6 of the M. hyopneumoniae-positive samples were 99.9% homologous to M. hyopneumoniae 232. These results support the hypothesis that long distance airborne transport of these important swine pathogens can occur.


Key words: airborne / transport / PRRSV / Mycoplasma

Corresponding author: deexx004@umn.edu

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2009