Location
Orange Beach, AL
Start Date
27-2-2017 9:30 AM
Description
Pseudorabies virus (PrV) is a herpesvirus endemic in invasive wild pigs in the United States. The virus has the potential to spill over into domestic herds and wildlife causing extensive morbidity and mortality. We surveyed 35 wild pigs from Kern County, California for evidence of exposure to PrV using serological analysis and for viral shedding using quantitative PCR. All 29 individuals that had sufficient sera to screen for antibody production via serological assay were positive. Two of 35 individuals were found to be shedding virus via genital mucosa. An additional 5 individuals were suspected to be shedding virus either in genital mucosa or circulating virus in their bloodstream, but these results were not definitive. The prevalence of viral shedding for PrV in Kern County, California (6%) suggests that native wildlife are susceptible to spillover of this virus which is deadly to carnivore species.
Recommended Citation
Wisely, Samantha M.; Sayler, Katherine A.; Parker, Brandon; Mihalco, Rebecca; and Covington, Eric, "Pseudorabies Virus Shedding and Antibody Production in Invasive Wild Pigs in California" (2017). Wildlife Damage Management Conference. 1.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/wdmconference/2017/session3/1
Pseudorabies Virus Shedding and Antibody Production in Invasive Wild Pigs in California
Orange Beach, AL
Pseudorabies virus (PrV) is a herpesvirus endemic in invasive wild pigs in the United States. The virus has the potential to spill over into domestic herds and wildlife causing extensive morbidity and mortality. We surveyed 35 wild pigs from Kern County, California for evidence of exposure to PrV using serological analysis and for viral shedding using quantitative PCR. All 29 individuals that had sufficient sera to screen for antibody production via serological assay were positive. Two of 35 individuals were found to be shedding virus via genital mucosa. An additional 5 individuals were suspected to be shedding virus either in genital mucosa or circulating virus in their bloodstream, but these results were not definitive. The prevalence of viral shedding for PrV in Kern County, California (6%) suggests that native wildlife are susceptible to spillover of this virus which is deadly to carnivore species.