Swine Practitioner Practices on Oral Fluid Sampling in U.S. Swine Farms: A Nationwide Survey.

Abstract

Oral fluid sampling has been widely adopted in swine health surveillance, offering an effective and cost-effective method for monitoring endemic and emerging diseases. This study characterized oral fluid sampling practices within U.S. pig production systems. An online questionnaire was conducted between June and October 2023, targeting swine practitioners, to collect data on implementation, usage, sampling protocols, and handling procedures. A total of 67 valid responses were received, representing an estimated 58M growing pigs and 3.9M sows. Nearly all respondents (99%) reported being familiar with or using oral fluid sampling for diagnostic purposes. The median of ropes hung per barn was two (interquartile range [IQR]: 1; 4), with 68% using one rope per two pens. The median of pens sampled per barn was six (IQR: 4; 10). Pigs typically accessed the rope for a median of 20 min (IQR: 17.5; 30). Sampling frequency varied by farm types. Half of gilt-development-unit (GDU) respondents collected samples monthly. When submitting samples to the veterinary diagnostic laboratories, pig age (91%) was the most frequently included information. This study reveals the widespread and varied adoption of oral fluid sampling, highlighting the need for standardized collection procedures to support consistent interpretation and improve reliability for detecting emerging pathogens.