An evaluation of additives for mitigating the risk of virus-contaminated
feed using an ice block challenge model
Abstract
The role of animal feed as a vehicle for the transport and transmission
of viral diseases was first identified during the porcine epidemic
diarrhea virus (PEDV) epidemic in North America. Since that time,
various feed additives have been evaluated at the laboratory level to
measure their effect on viral viability and infectivity in contaminated
feed using bioassay piglet models. While a valid first step, the
conditions of these studies were not representative of commercial swine
production. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the
ability of feed additives to mitigate the risk of virus-contaminated
feed using a model based on real-world conditions. This new model used
an “ice-block” challenge, containing equal concentrations of porcine
reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Seneca-virus A
(SVA) and PEDV, larger populations of pigs, representative commercial
facilities and environments, along with realistic volumes of complete
feed supplemented with selected additives. Following supplementation,
the ice block was manually dropped into designated feed bins and pigs
consumed feed by natural feeding behavior. After challenge, samples were
collected at the pen level (feed troughs, oral fluids) and at the animal
level (clinical signs, viral infection, growth rate, and mortality)
across five independent experiments involving 15 additives. In 14 of the
additives tested, pigs on supplemented diets had significantly greater
average daily gain (ADG), significantly lower clinical signs and
infection levels, and numerically lower mortality rates compared to
non-supplemented controls. In conclusion, the majority of the additives
evaluated mitigated the effects of PRRSV 174, PEDV, and SVA in
contaminated feed, resulting in improved health and performance.