The 2023–2024 outbreak of Suid Alphaherpesvirus 1 (Aujeszky's disease) in Argentina: clinical, epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the strains involved

Aujeszky's disease (AD) was first recorded in Argentina in 1978 and, although it remains endemic in the country’s main pig-producing region, clinical cases have generally been sporadic and mostly confined to low-technology farms. However, in 2023, a technologically advanced finishing farm in so...

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Autores principales: Williman, Macarena, Ozaeta, Sofía, Cappuccio, Javier, Meroi, Lucio, Goñi, Diego, Colina, Santiago Emanuel, Metz, Germán Ernesto, Serena, María, Echeverría, María Gabriela
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Universidad Nacional del Nordeste 2026
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Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unne.edu.ar/index.php/vet/article/view/9049
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Sumario:Aujeszky's disease (AD) was first recorded in Argentina in 1978 and, although it remains endemic in the country’s main pig-producing region, clinical cases have generally been sporadic and mostly confined to low-technology farms. However, in 2023, a technologically advanced finishing farm in southeastern Córdoba, operating under controlled biosecurity conditions and certified AD-free according to SENASA regulations, presented a clinical outbreak that initially manifested with respiratory signs. Similar symptoms subsequently appeared in two additional intensive production farms in the same region, and 60 days after the first respiratory cases, neurological signs were observed in a nearby piglet production unit. Viral strains were isolated from lung and lymph node tissues and confirmed, through molecular characterization, as Suid Alphaherpesvirus 1. During this emergency, vaccination with a gE-deleted attenuated vaccine was implemented. Nevertheless, several months later, respiratory signs reappeared in a nearby finishing facility. PCR molecular analyses were positive for gE, confirming viral circulation and ruling out vaccine reversion. The isolates obtained during this period belonged to genotype I of the Aujeszky´s disease virus, the genotype historically circulating in Argentina. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering with previously reported Argentine strains, indicating ongoing viral circulation in local farms. The outbreak in this region was likely due to deficiencies in biosecurity measures rather than the introduction of a new strain. This study also reports, for the first time, the isolation of the virus from lung and lymph node samples of finishing pigs exhibiting respiratory signs.