| Issue |
Vet. Res.
Volume 40, Number 4, July-August 2009
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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 DeenSwine 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 
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