April 2003
The ability of the pig to mount
and maintain a protective response,
through natural or acquired immunity,
is a very involved process.
This 36th edition of the Blueprint
series from National Hog Farmer
introduces pork producers to the
basics of swine immunology with
Chris Chase, DVM, an immunologist
at South Dakota State University.
Next, Iowa State University veterinarians
Jeff Zimmerman and Eileen
Thacker present the diagnostic tests
available to determine pig health status.
In a third article, Thacker also
provides a detailed report on how
vaccines work – and explains why
they sometimes fail.
The importance of proper sourcing
of breeding stock or pigs, the stiff
immune challenges presented by the
porcine reproductive and respiratory
syndrome virus and animal health
strategies are provided by Carthage,
IL, veterinarian William Hollis.
Finally, Joan Lunney, research
leader at the Immunology and
Disease Resistance Laboratory,
Beltsville, MD, Research Center,
presents the daunting task of developing
genetic answers to swine
immunity.
Blueprint Features: Building Herd Immunity
Building Immunity is a Balancing Act
Apr 15, 2003 12:00 PM, by Chris Chase, DVM South Dakota State University
The ability of the pig to resist disease requires a well-developed immune system. Even with a immune system, disease resistance will fluctuate in the...
Monitoring Immunity Through Diagnostics
Apr 15, 2003 12:00 PM, by Jeff Zimmerman, DVM and Eileen Thacker, DVM Iowa State University
Diagnostic assays or tests are tools used by producers and veterinarians to assess the disease and immune status of pigs. Depending on the specific diagnostic...
Prevention vs. Treatment of Disease
Apr 15, 2003 12:00 PM, by William Hollis, DVM Carthage Veterinary Service, Carthage, IL
Our mothers and grandmothers knew the value of disease prevention after years of respiratory disease and diarrhea in children. Likewise, the sharpest...
Vaccines How They Work, Why They Fail
Apr 15, 2003 12:00 PM, by Eileen Thacker, DVM Iowa State University
Vaccination is an important tool for disease control in swine herds. The goal of herd vaccination is to decrease the number of susceptible animals, reducing...
In Search of Disease-Resistant Pigs
Apr 15, 2003 12:00 PM, by Joan K. Lunney, Immunology and Disease Resistance Lab, ANRI, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD
Raising pigs that are healthy and disease free is a goal of every pork producer. Biosecure facilities help meet this goal, yet enteric and respiratory...
