In light of the public interest and concern over the current North American Influenza outbreak in humans, the following links lead to the most up-to-date and accurate information. 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Pork Board
• American Association of Swine Veterinarians
• PandemicFlu.gov
• ISU Library links on Influenza
• The Center for Food Security & Public Health - Influenza fact sheets

Samples for the Diagnosis of Swine Influenza

Pig selection: High fever, serous nasal discharge

Nasal swabs: Dacron or other synthetic fiber swabs in transport media (e.g. BBL CultureSwab with Stuarts media) or in 1 ml saline in snap cap tubes; cluster in whirlpaks

Lung lavage fluid: Saline in leak-proof sterile containers (snap caps, blood tubes, whirlpaks)

Airway brush swabs: Swab larger bronchioles after cutting into lung lobes. (e.g. Copan flocked nylon fiber swab with accompanying screwtop vial containing sterile media); cluster in whirlpaks

Fresh lung tissue: Affected portions of lung tissue, usually the hilar area and adjacent portions of cranial, middle and caudal lung lobes or ventral portions of these lobes; in whirlpaks, chilled not frozen, on icepaks or wet ice

Formalin-fixed lung tissue: Slices (1/2”) through affected portions of lung in 10% buffered formalin

Follow routine diagnostic sample packaging guidelines: Double bag specimens or line shipping container with plastic bag, preferably in styrofoam-lined container with coolant packs.

The samples described above would also be useful for diagnosis of any acute respiratory disease in swine.

Diagnostic Notes:
 
Assays that can be applied to these samples for SIV diagnosis:

• PCR assay for Type A and subtypes H1, H3, N1, N2
• Sequence determination for the HA genes
• Virus isolation

Swabs can be pooled in groups of 3-5 for PCR assay

PCR assays currently employed at ISU VDL will detect both the H1 and N1 of the influenza A H1N1 virus currently of concern in human infections. Work is in progress to develop assays that will differentiate the virus from other H1N1 viruses currently infecting swine.

Shipping address:

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
College of Veterinary Medicine
Iowa State University
1600 South 16th St.
Ames, IA  50011-1250

Sample selection and shipping guidelines: here.

Submission form: download an ISU VDL submission form here.

Contact information:

ISU VDL phone:  515-294-1950
Dr. Butch Baker
Dr. Bruce Janke
Dr. Kyoungjin Yoon