Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pig meat.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), is an economically important disease in the swine industry. Previous studies demonstrated the presence of the virus in pig meat and its transmissibility by oral consumption. This study further analyzed the infectivity of PRRSV in commercial pig meat.

Single-step multiplex conventional and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays for simultaneous detection and subtype differentiation of Influenza A virus in swine.

Because pigs are considered intermediate hosts for the emergence of novel influenza virus reassortants with associated zoonotic potential, monitoring and characterization of circulating influenza viruses in pigs are important for adequate control of infection. For this, rapid molecular diagnostic methods other than immunoassays are needed. Three novel single-step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were developed in the current study for simultaneous detection and subtype differentiation of Influenza A virus in pigs.

Novel approach for detecting prohibited species-specific central nervous system tissue contamination in meat by one-step real-time reverse transcriptase PCR.

The dissemination of prohibited species-specific central nervous system (CNS) tissue contamination in meat must be tracked to mitigate human health risk associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The efficiency of compliance monitoring and risk control measures taken by concerned regulatory authorities at meat production facilities to avoid such contamination depends on the ability to detect CNS tissue with a reliable and adequately sensitive quantitative method. A rapid and convenient one-step real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was developed based on the absolute quantification of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA as a marker for CNS tissue contamination in meat.

Polyclonal activation of B cells occurs in lymphoid organs from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-infected pigs.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces a persistent viral infection associated with an inefficient humoral immune response. A study of lymphoid B cells and specific humoral immune response was performed in blood and several lymphoid organs collected from PRRSV experimentally-infected pigs. Groups of specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were infected with the LHVA-93-3 isolate of PRRSV, and blood, tonsils, spleen and mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) were collected at various times postinfection (p.