Pseudorabies Virus: From Pathogenesis to Prevention Strategies

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Animal Health

Background:

• Pseudorabies (PR), or Aujeszky's disease (AD), is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the pseudorabies virus (PRV).
• Pigs are the only natural host, but PRV affects various mammals, causing reproductive, neurological, and respiratory issues, leading to substantial economic losses.
• While previously controlled by the Bartha-K61 vaccine strain, PRV has re-emerged and spread globally, particularly in China, due to viral strain variation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of PRV, including its structure, life cycle, and pathogenesis.
• To summarize current diagnostic methods for PRV detection.
• To review recent advancements in PRV prevention and control strategies, including vaccines, herbal medicines, and small RNAs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of PRV research, focusing on viral characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and control measures.
• Analysis of recent findings on PRV strain variation and re-emergence.
• Synthesis of information on novel therapeutic and preventative approaches.

Main Results:

• PRV exhibits diverse clinical signs in pigs, impacting different age groups and leading to significant economic losses.
• Despite control efforts, PRV re-emergence highlights the need for updated strategies.
• Recent research focuses on developing improved vaccines, diagnostic tools, and alternative control methods like herbal medicines and small RNAs.

Conclusions:

• PRV remains a major challenge for the global swine industry, necessitating ongoing research and improved control measures.
• Understanding PRV's molecular characteristics and pathogenesis is crucial for effective intervention.
• Future efforts should focus on PRV eradication through integrated strategies encompassing vaccination, diagnostics, and novel therapeutics.