Survey of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) on Oʻahu
Date
2006
Authors
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) drastically affects the profitability of pig production by causing reproductive and respiratory difficulties. The virus can infect pigs directly and indirectly. Airborne transmission is suspected, but controlled experiments have yielded mixed results. The ability of animals to transmit virus bad been demonstrated in MaI1ard ducks, houseflies and mosquitoes. On some hog farms worldwide and on O'ahu where PRRS occur despite strict biosecurity, the route of transmission remains a mystery. The objective of this project was to determine the PRRS status of cattle egrets, who are frequent visitors to livestock farms. Sera from 24 cattle egrets and 2 spotted doves (incidentally) culled by the USDA in West O'ahu were tested fur PRRS virus antibodies. Blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results fur 2S serum samples were negative and I dove sample was borderline positive with percent inhibition at 17.34% (positive ~17%). Fluorescent focusing neutralization resu1ts on 21 serum samples yielded eight negatives «1:4 dilution), 10 borderlines (1:8 dilution), and 3 low positives (1: 16 dilution). Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were unable to detect viral antibodies or nucleic material, respectively. Low positives in serological tests due to cross-reactions with other viruses and false negatives in the polymerase chain reaction due to variation in strains of PRRS virus cannot be ruled out. These results do not provide evidence that cattle egrets are potential carriers of the PRRS virus, but a controlled challenge study should be considered. Identifying and controlling routes of transmission of PRRS is vital in protecting Hawai'i's pork industry.
Description
Keywords
Cattle egret--Diseases, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Hawaii--Oahu
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Master of Science (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Animal Sciences; no. 4128
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.