Frecuencia de la seropositividad al Virus del Síndrome Respiratorio y Reproductivo Porcino y sus factores de riesgo en granjas porcinas del cantón Morona, provincia de Morona Santiago

Abstract

Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease that affects pigs at all stages of production: in sows, it causes reproductive failures; in boars, it is characterized by low-quality semen, and pigs of all stages may exhibit respiratory manifestations. In Ecuador, specifically in the Amazon region, the impact of this disease has not been assessed. This research aims to determine the frequency of seropositivity to PRRS virus and its risk factors in different pig farms in the Morona canton, Morona Santiago province, Ecuador. A total of 264 blood serum samples were analyzed from 99 farms in the parishes of the Morona canton. This study considered the categories of sows, boars, and fattening pigs. The samples were analyzed at the LIVEXLAB laboratory in Quito, using the PRRS XR Ab ELISA kit. The results revealed a frequency of 24.24% for the Morona canton, with the most affected parishes being General Proaño (32.11%), Rio Blanco (22%), and Sevilla Don Bosco (18.75%). The lowest frequencies were observed in Macas (16.67%), San Isidro (15.38%), and Sinai (0%). Among the categories, the sow’s category was the most affected (29.79%), followed by fattening pigs (24.49%) and boars (9.52%). Risk factors were determined, and five of them showed significance: type of production, litters with fewer than eight piglets, acquiring new animals, acquiring replacements from outside the operation, and the presence of abortions