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Methods
We conducted a 2-year (2002-2004) prospective cohort study of transmission of influenza viruses between pigs and SW from a single pork production company in Iowa. Respiratory samples were collected and tested for influenza viruses from SW and from pigs under their care through surveillance for influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Serial blood samples from study participants were tested by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) for antibody seroconversion against human and swine influenza viruses (SIV), and antibody seroprevalence was compared to age-matched urban Iowa blood donors.
Results
During the first year, 15 of 88 SW had ILI and were sampled; all were culture-negative for influenza. During the second year, 11 of 76 SW had ILI and were sampled; one was culture positive for a human seasonal H3N2 virus. Among 20 swine herd ILI outbreaks sampled, influenza A virus was detected by rRT-PCR from 17 with 11 trH1N1 and five trH3N2 virus isolates cultured. During both years, HI geometric mean titers were significantly higher among SW compared to blood donor controls for three SIV: classical swine Sw/WI/238/97 (H1N1), trSw/IN/9K035/99 (H1N2), and trSw/IA/H02NJ56371/02 (H1N1)] (P<0.0001).
Conclusions
SW had serologic evidence for infection with both swine and human influenza viruses and were exposed to diverse influenza virus strains circulating in pigs. Influenza virus surveillance among pigs and SW should be encouraged to better understand cross-species transmission and diversity of influenza viruses at the human-swine interface.
P. Terebuh, C. W. Olsen, J. Wright, A. Klimov, A. Karasin, K. Todd, H. Zhou, H. Hall, X. Xu, T. Kniffen, D. Madsen, R. Garten, C. B. Bridges. Transmission of influenza A viruses between pigs and people, Iowa, 2002–2004.Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. Vol. 4 (6): 387-396.
