Progress 08/15/08 to 08/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the past few years, we have isolated H3N2 viruses from commercial turkey breeder hens and swine. Search continues for unique influenza viruses in different species. In addition, we isolated triple reassortant (TR) H1N1 virus from pigs with respiratory symptoms at an Ohio County Fair in late 2007. Importantly, twenty-six people that came in contact with the infected pigs developed respiratory disease. Isolated viruses from two individuals, a fair exhibitor and the exhibitor's father, were laboratory confirmed as H1N1 subtype by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genome sequencing showed almost 100% identity between human and pig isolates. Genetically similar virus was also isolated from pigs in Kansas and this new reassortant virus appears to move across the Midwest. In addition to these specific H1N1 strains, we continuously isolate H1 and H3 subtype viruses from pigs with severe respiratory symptoms in Ohio. In surveys of Ohio, soybean rust was not found in 2008. An Immunofluorescence assay was developed to detect spores of the soybean rust pathogen, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, which utilized rabbit polyclonal antisera produced in response to germinated or nongerminated spores of the pathogen. Moreover, statistical protocols were developed for quantifying the accuracy and cost of: a diagnostic assays for a plant disease, such as soybean rust; and a predictive model for the outbreak of a disease. PARTICIPANTS: Veterinarians, Ohio Department of Health, animal health agencies TARGET AUDIENCES: Veterinarians, Ohio Department of Health, vegetable producers, vegetable processors, state public health agencies, federal public health agencies PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Viruses circulating in swine are a possible threat to commercial turkeys and it is important to recognize and assess the genetic, antigenic, and pathogenic characteristics of recent isolates that have the potential to cause human disease. This information will facilitate recognition of viruses with this potential prompting measures to prevent human and animal disease. By showing that soybean rust has not yet arrived in Ohio, growers saved over $50 million by not having to spray a fungicide for this one disease.
Publications
- Baysal-Guel, F., Ivey, M.L.L., Dorrance, A., Luster, D., Frederick, R., Czarnecki, J. and Boehm, M. and Miller, S.A. 2008. An Immunofluorescence assay to detect urediniospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Plant Disease 92:1387-1393.
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