Detection of naturally aerosolized Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae on pig farms by cyclonic air sampling and qPCR

Abstract

Respiratory infections caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae have a large impact on commercial pig farms globally. As current vaccines have limited efficacy, animal care and air hygiene are critical for disease control. Here we used a Coriolis μ cyclonic air sampler and an A. pleuropneumoniae-specific apxIV gene qPCR assay to detect the organism. Air samples were collected into a liquid medium by the Coriolis μ sampler for A. pleuropneumoniae detection by plate culture and qPCR assay. The method was validated by comparing the Coriolis μ sampler and a plate impactor (Millipore Air-T) in a specially designed aerosolization chamber. Two commercial farms, housing pigs between 3 and 21 weeks ..