August 21, 2020

Kansas State University to research controlling respiratory disease in young swine

Kansas State (K-State) University received a US$500,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to find ways to control swine reproductive viral agents and swine respiratory syndrome virus.

Megan Niederwerder, K-State's assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine is appointed project leader on the three-year USDA - NIFA research "Assessing the microbiome as a tool for the mitigation of viral disease in nursery pigs."

Niederwerder saidPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the costliest disease related to swine reproduction in the United States. The disease results in polymicrobial lung infections through secondary bacterial pathogens. This aggravates respiratory disease and sees higher antimicrobial administration in young swine.

PRRSV effects can be lowered through commercial vaccines. However, Niederwerder said these are insufficient for disease control. Alternative ways to control PRRSV are required for preserving swine health and welfare, at the same reducing the disease's economic effects on pork producers.

Niederwerder said the aim is to research the gut microbiome as a tool for PRRSV control because of the impact on the swine's immune system and nutritional outcomes. The study will find out the microbiome modulation effects on swine with respiratory disease, as well as discover the beneficial microbes associated with better swine health. Project data will give the researchers ways to characterise and conclude the gut microbes that boost swine health with PRRSV present.

Through the research, Niederwerder wants to find out whether beneficial gut microbes can be utilised as a preventative medicine tool. This will lower respiratory disease effects and reduce antimicrobial need in swine.

-      Kansas State University