About this Research Topic

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most important pathogens affecting swine globally. In the United States, the annual estimated economic losses due to PRRS are approximately USD 664 million, with economic losses stemming from reproductive failure, abortion, premature farrowing, increased rate of stillborn piglets, pre-weaning mortality as extreme as 70% among piglets, and losses in production parameters such as post-weaning mortality, daily gain, and feed conversion.

Much of the investigations on PRRSV are based on breeding herds, under the assumption that animals on the “finishing track” are epidemiological ends to the virus. However, the possibility of local transmission of the virus and the continuous demonstration that non-animal modes of transportation (such as contaminated trucks) may be important challenge that idea. In addition, much of the PRRSV data is generated under an “an outbreak has occurred” paradigm – PRRSV surveillance is still relatively rare. The constant emergence of new PRRSV variants also pose a challenge to veterinarians, practitioners and researchers. There is still a lack of comprehensive studies focused on the evaluation of genetic recombination in the emergence of PRRSV variants, on the impact that clinical-disease mitigation strategies (such as vaccination and live-virus-inoculation) may have on viral evolution and on overall impact that immunology may have on the selection of PRRSV variants.

This topic is open to submissions by young researchers.

Overall, the main goal of this Research Topic is to help in filling the gap of knowledge in PRRSV epidemiology particularly focused on evolution and emergence of new PRRSV strains and supporting topics. The main areas to be included in this Research Topic, but not exclusively limited to, are:
- Epidemiology of PRRSV in breeding sites
- Epidemiology of PRRSV in finishing sites
- Surveillance and monitoring of PRRSV - strategies and findings
- Co-circulation of PRRSV strains in farms
- Emergence of new PRRSV variants
- Immunology and evolution of PRRSV
- Genetic recombination among different PRRSV strains

Keywords: veterinary epidemiology and economics, PRRSV, surveillance, monitoring, genetic recombination

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