[Experimental reproduction of the respiratory form of infection with the agent of epidemic late abortion of swine]

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome has been observed in a large swine-farm. Diagnostic investigations were undertaken. Piglets infected with homogenate from the lung of a sick gilt developed biphasic fever up to 42 degrees C, inappetence and apathy. A few piglets showed red-blue discolored parts of the ears and of the skin in the abdominal region. A cytopathogenic agent has been isolated on cultivated alveolar-macrophages. Infection of another group of piglets with macrophages-propagated agent resulted in similar clinical signs too. Organs of euthanatized piglets have been examined anatomical, histological and with the fluorescent antibody technique. Specific fluorescence could be seen in tonsils, bronchial lymph nodes, spleen and in pathological-changed parts of the lungs. Antibodies against PRRS-virus were detected in blood samples of experimentally infected pigs.