Breed-to-wean farm factors associated with influenza A virus infection in piglets at weaning

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2018Source: Preventive Veterinary MedicineAuthor(s): Fabian Orlando Chamba Pardo, Adam Schelkopf, Matthew Allerson, Robert Morrison, Marie Culhane, Andres Perez, Montserrat TorremorellAbstractBreed-to-wean pig farms play an important role in spreading influenza A virus (IAV) because suckling piglets maintain, diversify and transmit IAV at weaning to other farms. Understanding the nature and extent of which farm factors drive IAV infection in piglets is a prerequisite to reduce the burden of influenza in swine. We evaluated the association between IAV infection in piglets at weaning and farm factors including farm features, herd management practices and gilt- and piglet-specific management procedures performed at the farm. Voluntarily enrolled breed-to-wean farms (n = 83) agreed to share IAV diagnostic testing and farm data from July 2011 through March 2017 including data obtained via the administration of a survey. There were 23% IAV RT-PCR positive samples of the 12,814 samples submitted for IAV testing from 2,989 diagnostic submissions with 30% positive submissions. Among all the factors evaluated (n = 24), and considering the season-adjusted multivariable analysis, only sow IAV vaccination and gilt IAV status at entry significantly reduced (p-value<0.05) IAV infections in piglets at weaning. Results from this study indicate that veterinarians and producers could manage these identified factors to reduce the burden o...
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research