Better Pork February 2017

Better Pork

February 2017

HERD

HEALTH

ongenital tremors (CT), also

known as myoclonia congenita,

“shaker pigs” and “dancing

pigs,” is a disease seen in newborn

pigs in all major pig-producing coun-

tries. CT is characterized by invol-

untary tremors (shaking) of the head

and limbs in newborn pigs, varying in

severity. The tremors typically reduce

as the piglets get older and are usually

absent when the piglets are sleep-

ing. If the tremors prevent the piglets

from securing a teat and suckling,

then mortality may be high from star-

vation and/or crushing by the sow.

A novel pestivirus

At the 24th International Pig Veteri-

nary Society Congress held in Dublin,

Ireland, between June 7 and 10, 2016,

two different groups of researchers

presented their findings identifying a

new pestivirus as the cause of congen-

ital tremors.

The two research groups, one at

Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa

and the other at Merck Sharp &

Dohme Animal Health in Boxmeer,

the Netherlands, made their discover-

ies independently and almost simulta-

neously. Interestingly, both research

groups used next generation sequenc-

ing (NGS) to identify the novel

pestivirus, which was subsequently

identified as a new porcine pestivirus.

The groups both then infected normal

fetuses, in utero, with serum from

CT-infected pigs. The in utero infected

pigs all exhibited classical signs of CT

at birth. Sham-inoculated fetuses did

not develop the disease.

NGS is a short read, massively

parallel sequencing technique which

has increased the ability 1,000-fold of

researchers sequencing genetic

material. The technique has also

reduced the cost of sequencing from

Anewpestivirus identified as cause of

congenital tremors

Recent research may provide further insight into congenital tremors, commonly known as shaking

pig disease. But other viruses have been blamed for causing this disease before.

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

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Congenital tremors (CT), also known as myoclonia congenita,

“shaker pigs” and“dancing pigs,” is a disease seen in newborn

pigs in all major pig-producing countries.

Aumsama/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo