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Bulletin No. 18 - Spring 2004
VirologyPorcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
MARTELLI P
PRRS still a mystery.
Pig Progress Vol.19, N? 9, 2003, 10-11
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus still remains an odd pathogen which scarcely ever abides by the common rules linked to infectious diseases. The usual means of control lack efficacy and several characteristics of PRRSV hamper attempts to that effect: a high degree of genetic and antigenic diversity among field isolates, the possible co-existence of several strains within the same herd and lack of cross-protection, the ability of the virus to induce persistent infection and remain undetectable by means of a diagnostic test. Furthermore, several co-factors can increase the expression of the PRRS, i.e. bacterial endotoxins (LPS), various pathogens involved in porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). In spite of all this, a reduction of the impact of PRRS can be achieved using currently available vaccines.
