Projects / Programmes
Detection of Influenza A viruses in environmental samples, feed and litter, and setting of an algorithm for the diagnosis of influenza in pigs
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.04.02 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Veterinarian medicine |
Animal pathology and epizootiology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B750 |
Biomedical sciences |
Veterinary medicine: surgery, physiology, pathology, clinical studies |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.03 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Veterinary science |
influenza A viruses, sampling, virus detection, environmental samples, molecular detection, virus isolation, pigs, poultry, wild birds
Researchers (23)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Before the appearance of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of subtype H5N1 A/goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD/96) only limited number of outbreaks of HPAI was recorded; the disease was mostly confirmed in domestic poultry and infections in humans with IAV were very rare. The situation changed remarkably due to the appearance of H5N1 virus. According to the official World Health Organisation reports, in the period from 2003 to May 2018 860 cases of human infection with H5N1 were confirmed with very high case-fatality rate of 53 %. Knowing these serious facts, it seems that the fear of the new epidemic could be realistic. Another very important global concern of IAV spread is the fact that outbreaks in poultry are always related to enormous economic losses due to high mortality and financial costs of resolving the outbreaks and have negative impact on animal welfare. Although vaccines against IAV are available on the market, the majority of outbreaks are still resolved on the basis of stamping-out and strict control measurement policy. IAV of subtypes H5 clade 2.3.4.4 spread in 2016 from Russia to EU and caused the largest pandemic in Europe so far. Till August 2017 in domestic poultry 1207 outbreaks from 24 European states were reported and 1590 outbreaks were confirmed in wild birds involving 29 different European countries. In recent outbreaks beside H5N8 also H5N5 of IAV were detected.
In Slovenia poultry production is one of the major agricultural sectors, therefore effective protection of this sector against the outbreaks of very contagious infectious diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza is of the utmost importance. Although pork production is not so developed as poultry, pig farming is also important, especially in the regions with dense poultry and pig population. It is also very common that on small family farms pigs and poultry are reared together, meaning that there is a possibility of mixing of different IAV strains. The resulting new virus might then be able also to infect humans. In Slovenia, two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed, both in free living birds. Both outbreaks (2006 and 2017) were located in north-eastern part of the country, in the region which holds the highest number of poultry and pig farming operations in Slovenia. Till present, very limited data on IAV in pigs are available and no epidemiological studies were performed in the last decade. Knowing that pigs may play an important role in influenza virus evolution and ecology, one of the goals of proposed project is to find out which viral subtypes circulate in pig population. In addition, protocols for surveillance of influenza in pigs will be set for veterinary practitioners and materials for raising awareness among breeders and the public about influenza in pigs will be prepared. The data obtained through this project will thus contribute to an improved on epidemiological picture of AIV circulation in this species also in the whole EU region. In addition, analysis of the obtained data will help the competent authorities in planning effective preventive measures for the control of AIV in pigs in Slovenia.
Fast and reliable diagnostic is the key point in detection, prevention and control of contagious diseases. Likewise, it is very important to determine the mode of virus introduction and spread in order to prevent further virus spreading and to check whether preventive measures like cleaning and disinfection were applied adequately and efficiently. Although epidemiological investigations are already a part of national contingency plan in a case of IAV outbreak in poultry, screening of environmental samples and control of efficiency of disinfection are not involved. Within the framework of the proposed project we will determine if non-invasive sampling methods of various environmental samples such as air, floor surfaces and feed can be used for the IAV detection and to optimize these techniques.
Significance for science
Epidemiological data on the prevalence of influenza viruses in pigs in Europe are in comparison with the data on poultry and birds very rare; only a few studies have been carried out, showing circulation of 3 different subtypes of viruses in some European countries: H1N1, avian origin, and H3N2 and H1N2, human origin. Due to the fact that in our country we do not carry out regular monitoring in this animal species, as well as because of the lower awareness of the professional public, in the last decade there are no data on the prevalence of IAV pigs, nor which AIVs circulate in this population. The data obtained through this project will thus contribute to an improved on epidemiological picture of AIV circulation in this species also in the whole EU region. In addition, analysis of the obtained data will help the competent authorities in planning effective preventive measures for the control of AIV in pigs in Slovenia.
The development of non-invasive sampling methods, which are not currently used for detection of the agents and disease control in practice, and the optimization of diagnostic methods for confirming the causative agents in various matrixes, is an important innovative approach. The use of different patterns in diagnostics, such as absorption coatings and air samples, is currently not described as a routine sampling method for the detection of viruses, and in the literature, there is little data on their performance. We believe that the results obtained under this project will be highlighted in the scientific and professional sphere. In the framework of the project, we will also prepare a protocol for such sampling, which may also be the basis for controlling other viral diseases.
Significance for the country
In Slovenia poultry production is one of the major agricultural sectors, therefore effective protection of this sector against the outbreaks of infectious diseases is of the utmost importance. Within the framework of the project, we will study the IAV's ecology in the area of north east Slovenia, this is an area where intensive poultry farming is highly developed and the poultry population is extremely dense. On the other hand, in this area the population of wild waterfowl is the largest, which represent one of the factors important for the introduction of diseases. Epidemiological survey of the AIV circulation in the mute swan (Cygnus olor) population, one of the most common species of birds infected with AIV viruses in Slovenia, and a survey of their movements will provide information on critical points of possible transmissions in north east region of Slovenia. The analysis of the data obtained from the proposed project will help the competent veterinary authorities and the veterinary profession as well as the poultry industry to plan and implement effective AIV prevention measures on poultry farms. In the framework of the project, a protocol for such sampling for veterinary practitioners will be also prepared.
On the other hand, Slovenian pig farming are in a rather unenviable position; self-supply with pig meat in our country is below 30% . Respiratory diseases are frequent and economically important issue in pig intensive rearing. On a professional basis, this problem would require in-depth diagnosis, involving various potential infectious agents, but owners often do not decide for it because of limited resources. So, the aetiology of respiratory diseases is often unclear and can lead to the increased use of antimicrobials and unprofitable rearing. We will prepare standard operating procedures for the detection of IAV in pigs and validate molecular methods for the detection of specific virus subtypes occurring in pigs. This brings a significant professional advancement for the veterinary profession and will also help farmers to improve production results and competitiveness and viability of farming.
