María Alejandra Quiroga

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak on pig farm, Argentina.

In June–July 2009, an outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection occurred on a pig farm in Argentina. Molecular analysis indicated that the virus was genetically related to the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus strain. The outbreak presumably resulted from direct human-to-pig transmission.

Evidence of reassortment of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in swine in Argentina: are we facing the expansion of potential epicenters of influenza emergence?

Please cite this paper as: Pereda et al. (2011) Evidence of reassortment of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in swine in Argentina: are we facing the expansion of potential epicenters of influenza emergence? Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(6), 409–412.

Outbreak of swine influenza in Argentina reveals a non-contemporary human H3N2 virus highly transmissible among pigs.

Sporadic outbreaks of human H3N2 influenza A virus (IAV) infections in swine populations have been reported in Asia, Europe and North America since 1970. In South America, serological surveys in pigs indicate that IAVs of the H3 and H1 subtypes are currently in circulation; however, neither virus isolation nor characterization has been reported. In November 2008, an outbreak of respiratory disease in pigs consistent with swine influenza virus (SIV) infection was detected in Argentina. The current study describes the clinical epidemiology, pathology, and molecular and biological characteristics of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus isolate shared nucleotide identities of 96-98 % with H3N2 IAVs that circulated in humans from 2000 to 2003. Antigenically, sera from experimentally inoculated animals cross-reacted mainly with non-contemporary human-origin H3N2 influenza viruses. In an experimental infection in a commercial swine breed, the virus was of low virulence but was transmitted efficiently to contact pigs and caused severe disease when an infected animal acquired a secondary bacterial infection. This is the first report of a wholly human H3N2 IAV associated with clinical disease in pigs in South America. These studies highlight the importance of two-way transmission of IAVs and SIVs between pigs and humans, and call for enhanced influenza surveillance in the pig population worldwide.

Hemagglutinating Encephalomyelitis Coronavirus Infection in Pigs, Argentina

We describe an outbreak of vomiting, wasting, and encephalomyelitis syndrome in piglets in Argentina, caused by porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis coronavirus (PHE-CoV) infection. Diagnosis was made by epidemiologic factors, pathologic features, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription–PCR, and genomic sequencing. This study documents PHE-CoV infection in South America.

Salmonella enterica Subclinical Infection: Bacteriological, Serological, Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles—Longitudinal Study in a Three-Site Farrow-to-Finish Farm

The aim of this surveillance was to study both Salmonella spp. shedding patterns and the time course of serological response in farrow-to-finish reared pigs from a subclinically infected farm. Antimicrobial resistance profile, molecular subtyping, and the relationship among the isolates were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A farrow-to-finish farm of 6000 sows, with a history of Salmonella Typhimurium septicemia, was selected. A longitudinal bacteriological and serological study was conducted in 25 sows before farrowing (M/S1) and in 50 offspring at 21 (M/S2), 35 (M/S3), 65 (M/S4), 86 (M/S5), 128 (M/S6), and 165 (M/S7) days of age. Serum antibodies were tested using Herdcheck((R)) Swine Salmonella antibody test kit (Idexx Laboratories, ME). Bacteria were isolated from pooled fecal samples. Suspected isolates were confirmed by conventional biochemical assays, and those identified as Salmonella spp. were serotyped. A variation between seropositive percentages and positive fecal samples was observed. Serologically positive pigs decreased from S1 to S4, and subsequently increased from S4 to S7. The percentages of fecal positive culture increased from M1 to M3, and then declined in M4, increased in M5, and were negative in M6 and M7. In the study three serovars, Salmonella 3,10:e,h:-, Salmonella Muenster, and Salmonella Bovismorbificans, were identified with low pathogenicity for swine. Three multidrug resistance strains (one belonged to Salmonella 3,10:e,h:- and two belonged to Salmonella Muenster) were found. PFGE results showed three different but closely related patterns among the 13 isolates of Salmonella Bovismorbificans, and two patterns for the three Salmonella Muenster and Salmonella 3,10:e,h:- isolates. This longitudinal study established critical points of Salmonella spp. infection in the farm and the production stages, where appropriate control measures must be taken. PFGE showed clonal relationships in each serovar. Antibiotic resistance profiles should be periodically included due to public health concerns.

A simple method of infecting rabbits with Bovine herpesvirus 1 and 5.

This report describes an alternative technique to inoculate rabbits and to reproduce infection by Bovine herpesvirus 1 and 5. First, the nostrils are anaesthetized by aspersion with local anaesthetic. A few seconds later, and after proving the insensitivity of the zone, the rabbits are put on their back legs with their nostrils upwards and the inoculum is introduced slowly into each nostril by using disposable droppers. Clinical signs, viral isolation from nasal swabs, histological lesions found, positive polymerase chain reaction and antibodies production confirm the infection. This very simple and bloodless technique, where the animals are exposed to minor distress, may be useful for evaluating the virulence of BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 strains, to study the establishment of latent virus infection and to test the potential of experimental vaccines or properties of antiviral drugs. It may be also suitable for experimental infection with other respiratory viruses in this animal model.

Prevalencia serológica del virus de influenza A en cerdos en Argentina durante la temporada 2002: Evaluación mediante inhibición de la hemaglutinación y ELISA

The seroprevalence of the Influenza virus against H1N1 and H3N2 was determined by the hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) and a commercial swine influenza ELISA kit, in 13 Argentinean swine herds. The results of within-herd and between-herd prevalence obtained by both tests were statistically correlated. The within-herd prevalence observed by the HI test varied from 38.46 to 100% against H1 and 7.69 to 100% for H3. When the within-herd prevalence was measured with the ELISA test, it varied from 2.33 to 6.9% for H1 and 9.65 to 48% for H3. No statistical differences were observed at herd level between HI and ELISA (H1: p = 0. 20; H3: p=0.11). No agreement between HI and ELISA detected prevalence was observed when the within-herd prevalence was compared (H1: 0.005; H3: 0.070), while the agreement at herd level was considered poor (H1: 0,350; H3: 0,235). The high within-herd prevalence values observed with the HI test and the high sensibility of this test might show that human strains or swine strains phylogenetically closely related to the humans strains used in the HI test in this study have been affecting the swine population since 2002.

Swine influenza: clinical, serological, pathological, and virological cross‐sectional studies in nine farms in Argentina

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are important pathogens responsible for economic losses in the swine industry and represent a threat to public health. In Argentina, clinical, pathological, and virological findings suggest that IAV infection is widespread among pig farms. In addition, several subtypes of IAV, such as pH1N1, H3N2, δ1H1N1, and δ2H1N2, have been reported.

Genetic Characterization of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 from Pigs with Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases in Argentina

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) has been associated with syndromes grouped by the term porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD). The PCV-2 isolates have been grouped into two major groups or genotypes according to their nucleotide sequence of whole genomes and/or ORF-2: PCV-2b, which have, in turn, been subdivided into three clusters (1A–1C), and PCV-2a, which has been subdivided into five clusters (2A–2E). In the present study, we obtained 16 sequences of PCV-2 from different farms from 2003 to 2008, from animals with confirmatory diagnosis of PCVAD. Since results showed an identity of 99.8% among them, they were grouped within a common cluster 1A-B. This preliminary study suggests a stable circulation of PCV-2b among the Argentinean pig population.

Lawsonia intracellularis in Pigs: Progression of Lesions and Involvement of Apoptosis:

The purpose of this study was to follow the progression of gross and histologic lesions and apoptosis events in Lawsonia intracellularis-infected enterocytes through the course of the disease, proliferative enteropathy (PE). Thirty 5-week-old pigs were divided into 2 groups: 20 challenged and 10 control animals. Groups of 3 pigs, 2 challenged and 1 control, were euthanized at 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 15, 19, 24, 29, and 35 days after inoculation. Complete necropsies were performed with gross evaluation. Tissue samples from different sites of the gastrointestinal tract and other visceral organs were collected for routine histologic staining and for immunohistochemistry (IHC) for L. intracellularis. In addition, caspase-3, terminal deoxyuridine nick-end labeling assay, and electron microscopy were performed in ileum samples. Macroscopic and histologic lesions suggestive of PE were first detected 11 days after infection and continued through day 24. L. intracellularis antigen was first detected in the intestine by IHC on day 5 after inoculation, and the bacterium was first detected by transmission electron microscopy on day 15. Positive IHC staining for [L. intracellularis] and enterocyte proliferation, but no gross lesion, were detected on day 29. All 3 pigs euthanized on day 35 were grossly and histologically normal and IHC negative. Hyperplastic crypts in challenge pigs had more apoptotic cells on days 15, 19, and 24 postinfection (P < .05) compared to control pigs. Our results demonstrated the progression of lesions and infection by L. intracellularis and that inhibition of enterocyte apoptosis is not involved in the pathogenesis of proliferative enteropathy.