Particle size characterization of influenza A, PRRS, and PED viruses in aerosols from acutely infected pigs

摘要

Among all the infectious agents affecting swine, airborne pathogens are the most costly and difficult to control.1 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus (IAV), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) are airborne pathogens able to spread rapidly and cause devastating financial losses to producers. However, there is limited information on the nature and size of particles with which airborne viruses are associated while airborne. This association will influence the distance the particles (and associated viruses) are transported, the location of deposition within the respiratory tract after inhalation, and the survivability and infectivity of the viruses in aerosols. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the size distribution of the particles that transport IAV, PRRSV and PEDV generated by acutely infected pigs, and assess the virus viability for each particle size range.