PRRSV North American Strains

PRRSV-2 (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus – North American Strain)

PRRSV-2, the North American genotype of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, is a highly pathogenic arterivirus that causes severe reproductive and respiratory disease in pigs. It often co-circulates with PRRSV-1 in Europe and Asia and is associated with more virulent outbreaks, particularly in growing and finishing pigs.

Clinical manifestations include:

• Reproductive failure – infertility, abortion storms, premature farrowing, stillbirths
• Severe respiratory disease – interstitial pneumonia, coughing, fever, lethargy, and high post-weaning mortality
• Immunosuppression, predisposing pigs to secondary bacterial infections

Transmission routes:

• Aerosol, direct contact, semen, or contaminated equipment
• Vertical transmission to fetuses during gestation

qPCR testing offers:

• Rapid and highly sensitive detection of PRRSV-2 RNA from blood, oral fluids, lung tissue, tonsils, or semen
• Detection of vaccine and wild-type strains, depending on assay design
• Useful for herd monitoring, outbreak response, and pre-entry screening

qPCR is essential for:

• Surveillance in breeding herds and multipliers
• Early detection in nursery and grower pigs
• Supporting eradication programs and biosecurity protocols

Accurate and timely diagnosis with qPCR helps reduce economic losses and control virus spread within and between production units.