COMBAT - Updated biosecurity tool with 4 features
The Guilty Gilt Guide
PRRS Ctrl 2.0
The 11th European PRRS Research Awards
Feedgrain contamination with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON, “vomitoxin”) is relatively frequently encountered. Pigs are particularly sensitive to the toxicity of DON.
European PRRSpective 2023 session 1 Improving health in endemic infected Sow farm
Dive into the dynamic discussions, insightful presentations, and vibrant exchanges that made this event unforgettable. Whether you're reliving your favorite moments or discovering new insights, these videos offer an immersive journey through the heart of our community's knowledge exchange.
4th European PRRSpective. Building together a strong base for PRRS control
27th September, 2018
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Episode 15 - New gilts: Steering the health profile of herd replacements
Step No. 4 in PRRS control, including the most important solution options are explained by Dr. PH Rathkjen.
Disease associated with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRS) continues to be a major problem in all swine producing regions.
Understanding the structure of the respiratory microbiome and its complex interactions with opportunistic pathogenic bacteria has become a topic of great scientific and economic interest in livestock production, given the severe consequences of respiratory disease on animal health and welfare. The present review focuses on the microbial structures of the porcine upper and lower airways, and the factors that influence microbiome development and onset of respiratory disease. Following a literature search on PubMed and Scopus, 21 articles were selected based on defined exclusion criteria (20 studies performed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and one by shotgun metagenomics). Analysis of the selected literature indicated that the microbial structure of the upper respiratory tract undergoes a remarkable evolution after birth and tends to stabilise around weaning. Antimicrobial treatment, gaseous ammonia concentration, diet and floor type are amongst the recognized environmental factors influencing microbiome structure. The predominant phyla of the upper respiratory tract are Proteobacteria and Firmicutes with significant differences at the genus level between the nasal and the oropharyngeal cavity. Only five studies investigated the lower respiratory tract and their results diverged in relation to the relative abundance of these two phyla and even more in the composition of the lung microbiome at the genus level, likely because of methodological differences. Reduced diversity and imbalanced microbial composition are associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease. However, most studies presented methodological pitfalls concerning specimen collection, sequencing target and depth, and lack of quality control. Standardization of sampling and sequencing procedures would contribute to a better understanding of the structure of the microbiota inhabiting the lower respiratory tract and its relationship with pig health and disease.