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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324044
Title: Genetics of host response to PRRS in growing pigs

Author
item DEKKERS, JCM - Iowa State University
item WAIDE, EH - Iowa State University
item HESS, A - Iowa State University
item ROWLAND, RRR - Kansas State University
item Lunney, Joan
item PLASTOW, G - University Of Alberta

Submitted to: Advances in Pork Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2015
Publication Date: 1/14/2016
Citation: Dekkers, J., Waide, E., Hess, A., Rowland, R., Lunney, J.K., Plastow, G. 2016. Genetics of host response to PRRS in growing pigs. Advances in Pork Production. 27:169-180.

Interpretive Summary: (none submitted)

Technical Abstract: Host response of nursery pigs to PRRSV infection was found to have a sizeable genetic component under controlled experimental challenge studies. In particular, a major gene for host response to PRRS was identified on SSC4, with a strong candidate gene that is involved in innate immune response. The WUR SNP in this region could be used to select for pigs that are less affected by PRRSV infection in terms of growth rate. However, these effects need to be validated under more complex disease scenarios and in the field. Several such studies are currently under way. While this comprehensive suite of studies is unlikely to identify pigs that are completely resistant to PRRSV, they are starting to unravel the genetic basis of host response to PRRS, leading to the ability to select pigs that are less susceptible to PRRSV infection and to the effects of PRRSV infection on performance. In addition, insight into host response to PRRSV infection can lead to new avenues for development of more effective vaccines and therapeutics.