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Title: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus: An update on an emerging and re-emerging viral disease of swine.

Author
item Lunney, Joan
item BENFIELD, DAVID - The Ohio State University
item ROWLAND, RAYMOND - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Virus Research
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2010
Publication Date: 12/1/2010
Citation: Lunney JK, Benfield DA, Rowland RR. 2010. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus: An update on an emerging and re-emerging viral disease of swine. Virus Research. 154(1-2):1-6.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript summarizes the history of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), the syndrome that caused reproductive and respiratory problems in swine in the late 1980’s. An arterivirus, referred to as PRRS virus (PRRSV), was determined to be the etiologic agent of this disease as well as the agent associated with high morbidity and mortality for “Porcine high fever disease,” reported in China starting in 2006. In 2010 this is still causing severe pathology in pigs in China, with spread to Vietnam and Cambodia. This paper provides a brief historical review of PRRS and the associated PRRSV. It presents areas of research gaps for PRRS vaccines and current progress towards PRRS elimination. This manuscript also introduces research reviews and articles presented in this special issue of Virus Research that highlight the virus, its pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and host genetic control. It is hoped that these articles will stimulate new ideas and collaborations between researchers and swine veterinarians to improve our understanding of PRRS and PRRSV and help eliminate this economically important disease of swine.

Technical Abstract: Recognized in the late 1980’s in North America and Europe the syndrome that caused reproductive and respiratory problems in swine was initially called “Mystery Swine Disease” and is now termed “Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)”. In the early 1990’s an arterivirus, referred to as PRRS virus (PRRSV), was determined to be the etiologic agent of this disease. Since then research has progressed substantially. Most recently “Porcine high fever disease” was reported in China starting in 2006 with PRRSV being a critical virus associated with high morbidity and mortality (20%) associated with this syndrome which in 2010 is still causing severe pathology in pigs in China, with spread to Vietnam and Cambodia. This volume contains a series of reviews that highlight the virus, its pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology and host genetic control. This paper provides a brief historical review of PRRS and the associated PRRSV. It presents areas of research gaps that inhibit current progress towards PRRS elimination through production of effective vaccines and current plan for PRRS elimination or eradication programs. It is hoped that this discussion will stimulate further collaboration between researchers and swine veterinarians throughout the world to provide answers that enhance our understanding of PRRS and PRRSV in an effort to eliminate this economically important disease.