0
Within-pen transmission was quantified by using four groups of eight SPF (specific pathogen-free) pigs (four infected and four susceptible pigs having direct contact). Between-pen transmission was studied in two groups of 16 SPF pigs (eight infected and eight susceptible pigs having indirect contact (10 cm distance)). Pigs were monitored twice a week (blood samples) and were tested for PCV-2 antibodies (ELISA test) and viral genome load in sera (real-time PCR). Transmission parameters betawithin and betabetween were estimated using a maximum likelihood method and the duration of infectiousness, to compute R0, was estimated with a parametric survival model.
Different assumptions were made to determine the end of infectiousness (seroconversion, seroconversion and decline in viral genome load, permanent infectiousness).
Rwithin (8.9 (5.1-15.4)) was greater when the end of infectiousness was assumed to be related to both seroconversion and a decline of PCV-2 genome load in sera (average duration of infectiousness = 32 days) compared with only seroconversion as the indicator of recovery (Rwithin = 5.5 (3.3-9.0)). Whatever the assumption, between-pen R0 (0.58 (0.23-1.47)) was always significantly lower than within-pen R0. Only betawithin was sensitive to the assumption on end of infectiousness and decreased with increasing duration of infectiousness. These results showed that PCV-2 transmission is influenced by contact structure that appears worth being taken into account in an epidemic model.
M Andraud, B Grasland, B Durand, R Cariolet, A Jestin, F Madec and N Rose. Quantification of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) within- and between-pen transmission in pigs. Vet. Res. (2008) 39:43.
