Tongue Tips Exudate: An Alternative Specimen for PRRSV RNA Detection

Population-based sampling schemes do not cover all pig production phases, such as stillborn and newborn pig groups.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus remains one of the most challenging pathogens for swine production with a total cost of $664 million annually to swine production in the United States (1). Characterizing the activity of PRRSV in herds over time is critical to guiding biosecurity and disease management practices. The proportion of population-based samplings, e.g., processing fluids (2) and family oral fluids (3), compared to individual-based sampling methods, e.g., blood samples, for PRRSV monitoring in the U.S. swine industry has significantly increased (4). However, these population-based sampling schemes do not cover all pig production phases, e.g., stillborn and newborn pig groups.