AASV: Tongue tip fluid sampling for PRRS

Processing fluid has emerged as a sensitive tool for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) monitoring, suggesting the use of tissues as viable specimens. Tongue tip exudate has recently gained attention as a viable postmortem specimen for PRRS monitoring. A study by Mariana Kikuti, DVM, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, aimed to determine whether postmortem sampling of suckling pigs allows for the detection of PRRSV and determining the sensitivity of each postmortem specimen studied. Two farrow-to-wean farms undergoing a wild-type PRRS virus that had decided to pursue elimination were conveniently selected. Samples were collected at the farm some 8 and 20 weeks after the outbreak detection. Postmortem sampling of piglets found dead or euthanized was conducted. Postmortem specimens consisted of individual sterile swabs of the nasal, oral, and rectal cavities, tongue tips and blood collected directly from the heart. All specimens were stored and