Sialic Acid-Binding Activity of S-Protein Facilitates Infection by Porcine TGE Coronavirus
Sialic acid-binding activity facilitates the infection by transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) under unfavourable environmental conditions, and this activity varies between vrus strains, according to researchers based in Hanover, Germany.

Pseudorabies Virus in Wild Swine: a Global Perspective
A global perspective on pseudorabies virus infections in wild swine from a group of researchers based in Germany.

Overview on ELISA Techniques for FMD
A new method based on virus-like particles in combination with a high-throughput antibody technique may be the powerful ELISA diagnostic reagents in future, according to researchers in Lanzhou, China.

Sialic Acid Receptors and Influenza A Virus of Avian and Swine Origin in Experimentally Infected Pigs
New Danish research challenges the theory that the pig acts as a mixing vessel for human and avian influenza viruses.

Emerging Threats Quarterly Report – Pig Diseases – April to June 2011
Among the highlights of this report – previously known as the Quarterly Surveillance Report from VLA – are the first case of confirmed PCV2-associated foetopathy in British pigs.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Porcine Parvoviruses from Swine Samples in China
This is the first report on the isolation of a Group III porcine parvovirus in China.

Identification of Critical Amino Acid in Capsid Protein of PCV2
The amino acid, alanine, at position 59 in the capsid protein of PCV2a (CL, LG and JF2) strains is a critical amino acid, which determines one neutralising epitope of those strains, according to researchers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Scie...

Transcription Analysis on Response of Swine Lung to H1N1 Swine Influenza Virus
Researchers in Wuhan, China, have shown how the pig's lung immune system changes its response to infection by the swine flu virus over time, information that may help to control the disease better in future.

Swine Producers Urged to Guard Against Aflatoxin in Corn
Soaring temperatures and drought conditions through parts of Kansas and other states are sparking some cases of aflatoxin in corn, which means swine producers should be vigilant about what they are feeding, according to Kansas State University scient...

Efficacy of PRRS Virus Inactivated Vaccine Based on Viral Quantity & Inactivation Methods
Researchers in South Korea have assessed the efficacy of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus inactivated vaccine based on the viral quantity and inactivation methods in order to control the virus, which appears to have infected pig...

Increase of MRSA and Unusual Type Found in Slaughter Pigs in Switzerland
Researchers based in Bern demonstrated a significant and nearly three-fold increase of in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Swiss pigs within two years. Their study is also the first to describe the presence...

Development of Novel Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Porcine Boca-Like Virus
Chinese researchers have developed a sensitive and specific assay for the porcine boca-like virus (Pbo-likeV), which is thought to be associated with a number of pig diseases.

Biomin’s Mycotoxin Survey – 2nd Quarter Report 2011
Mycotoxin analysis results for the second quarter of 2011 from Biomin, including more than 2,800 analyses of more than 800 animal feed ingredients. At least one mycotoxin was found in 90 per cent of the samples.

Immunoproteomic Analysis of Bacterial Proteins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Serotype 1
One or more of the 42 novel immunoreactive factors identified by researchers at Nanjing Agricultural University could become vaccine candidates.

Clostridium difficile and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Shedding by Slaughter-Age Pigs
The prevalence of C. difficile and MRSA in slaughter-age pigs sampled in Canada was relatively low at 3.4 per cent and 0.2 per cent, respectively, but researchers said that there is potential for contamination of meat from healthy pigs carrying...

Shoulder Sores
The causes, treatment and prevention of shoulder sores in sows are set out in Knowledge Transfer Bulletin No. 17 from BPEX.

Dynamic Distribution and Tissue Tropism of Classical Swine Fever Virus
The virus causing classical swine fever (CSF) was likely to reproduce in blood, lymphoid tissue, pancreas and the ileum, according to scientists based in Beijing, who studied the course of infection in experimentally infected pigs.

Indications and Patterns of Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Danish Pig Production
Antimicrobial usage increased significantly between 2002 and 2008 in all classes of Danish pigs, and most were administered to treat gastrointestinal infections, especially in weaners, according to a recently published study.

Farm Level Risk Factors Associated with Severity of PMWS
Environmental and management factors were found to be related to post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) severity and pathogens other than porcine circovirus (PCV) are possible co-factors, according to researchers at the UK's Royal Veterinary...

Probiotics Influence F4 (K88)-Positive Enterotoxigenic E. coli Attachment and Intestinal Cytokine Expression in Weaned Pigs
One of the probiotics tested modulated intestinal immune functions and influenced host interaction with ETEC F4 and so could be a complementary approach to consider in strategies to improve intestinal health and reduce the use of antibiotics in weaner...

Mannan Oligosaccharides Offer Health Benefits to Pigs
Feeding mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) can fine-tune the immune system of pigs against PRRS, suggests a new University of Illinois study.

Prairie Swine Research Centre Annual Report 2010
The annual report from the Prairie Swine Centre in Canada includes articles on some recently completed research in the fields of engineering, behaviour and nutrition.

Intestinal Diseases Incur a Heavy Cost
Intestinal diseases have a huge impact on the resources of the pig industry and compromises on enteric health lead to waste and incur a heavy cost, writes ThePigSite editor in chief, Chris Harris.