Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NC229 Annual Business Meeting Summary (2024)

Meeting Details:

• Project Title: Detection and Control of PRRSV and Emerging Swine Viral Diseases
• Date & Location: December 8, 2024 | Intercontinental Hotel, Chicago, IL
• Attendees: 49 members

Key Discussions:

• Opening remarks by Dr. Pineyro (ISU)
• Multi-state program updates (Dr. Vu, Nebraska)
• USDA-NIFA research funding opportunities (Michelle Colby, NIFA)
• Reports from station representatives (IL, IN, KS, MN, ND, OH, SD, Canada)

Organizational Updates:

• Chair: Dr. Pineyro (2024-2025)
• Vice-Chair: Dr. Vu (Nebraska)
• Secretary: Dr. Arruda (Ohio State)
• Member at Large: Dr. Miller (Kansas State)

Key Research Outcomes:

Objective 1: Virus-Host Interactions

• PRRSV fetal resistance studies in Indiana
• Development of porcine respiratory organoids (South Dakota)
• PRRSV vertical transmission research (USDA, Purdue, Saskatoon)
• Microbiome changes during PRRSV infection (Illinois)

Objective 2: Epidemiology & Diagnostics

• Whole-genome analysis of PRRSV outbreaks (Minnesota)
• Development of point-of-care PCR for swine influenza (Ohio, Minnesota)
• Multi-state PRRSV surveillance (Ohio-led)

Objective 3: Immunology & Vaccine Development

• ASF vaccine development (Kansas, Ohio, South Dakota)
• PRRSV vaccine advancements, including novel recombinant strains (Illinois)
• AI-based vaccine design for PCV2 (Iowa State, Biological Mimetics Inc.)

Research Highlights (2023-2024):

• PRRSV: Vaccine development, molecular studies, diagnostics
• ASFV: Attenuated vaccine candidates, early detection tools
• Swine Influenza: Novel vaccine vectors, host-virus interaction research
• Emerging Pathogens: PCV3, Torque Teno Virus, cross-species coronavirus transmission
• Genomic Studies: Bioinformatics for viral classification, transcriptomic comparisons
• Disease Surveillance: Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (Minnesota)
• Training & Outreach: Student education, industry collaborations, conference participation

Outcomes

 Objective 1: Etiology, pathogenesis, and virus-host interaction.

• Fetal Resistance to PRRSV: Researchers in Indiana have deepened the understanding of how porcine fetuses respond to PRRSV, focusing on factors like gestational age that influence resistance. Collaborative work between Indiana and North Carolina State University explored the spatial transcriptome of the porcine placenta to uncover mechanisms of vertical transmission.
• Advanced Models for Pathogen Studies: Porcine respiratory organoids were developed in South Dakota to mimic the pig respiratory epithelium, facilitating detailed host-pathogen interaction studies while reducing reliance on live animal models. These models provide critical tools for preclinical testing and vaccine development.
• Collaborative PRRSV Research: The USDA worked with Purdue University and Saskatoon researchers to study vertical viral transmission in pregnant gilts, identifying key tissues and genes related to fetal resistance, resilience, or susceptibility. Additional work with Ohio State University and Kingfisher Biotech characterized monoclonal antibodies targeting CXCL10, advancing therapeutic options.
• Microbiome and Viral Interactions: Illinois identified disruptions in mucosal microbial communities during PRRSV infection, correlating microbial diversity with disease markers. Their neonatal piglet model demonstrated how influenza A virus reshapes the nasal microbiome, linking microbial shifts to infection outcomes. These findings suggest microbiome-based mitigation strategies for swine diseases.

 Objective 2: Epidemiological investigation of viral pathogens that affect swine population in the United States.

• Minnesota worked on whole genome analyses of clinical outbreaks identified immune escape mechanisms in natural populations, further enhancing understanding of viral dynamics.
• Diagnostic Advancements and ASF Preparation: The feasibility of portable point-of-care (POC) PCR systems for swine influenza diagnosis was demonstrated with a collaborative effort between Ohio and Minnesota, efforts that could significantly speed outbreak response. Ohio has also completed efforts on adoption of mucosal vaccine technologies in pigs.
• Multi-State PRRSV Surveillance: Ohio led the compilation and analysis of PRRSV-2 sequences from five states (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia), collaborating with the OH state diagnostic labs and production systems. This work highlighted regional differences in viral transmission.

 Objective 3. Immunology, vaccinology, and antiviral drugs

• ASF Vaccine Development: In Kansas, researchers developed two live attenuated ASF vaccines, proven safe and effective for pigs aged four weeks or older. Additionally, they collaborated to create 3D organotypic cultures for respiratory and intestinal mucosa, mimicking natural swine tissues and enhancing the study of respiratory pathogens like influenza A and SARS-CoV-2. Ohio completed initial ASF virus stocks for vaccine formulation testing, coordinating efforts with multiple institutions to improve biosecurity and preparedness.
• PRRS Vaccine Development: Research in Illinois revealed how high-frequency RNA recombination in PRRSV driving viral adaptability and vaccine resistance. Collaborations visualized recombination hotspots, guiding antiviral strategy development. Illinois also developed a double-mutant PRRSV-2 vaccine candidate that reduces co-infection severity, showcasing its potential as a solution for severe farm outbreaks. Also, a nonpathogenic PRRS strain (G16X) vaccine.
• Innovative Vaccine Strategies: In North Dakota, a suicidal PCV3 vaccine demonstrated safety and efficacy. Collaboration with Iowa State University advanced assays for Torque teno virus (TTSuV1), while partnerships with Biological Mimetics Inc. applied AI algorithms to design next-generation PCV2 vaccines.