Vaccines are supposed to protect animal health, but could they actually be contributing to the spread of viruses?
A recent study has discovered that a neglected arbovirus, Getavirus (GETV), has been quietly lurking in swine vaccines! Where did it originate? Does it pose a threat to pigs and humans? Let's uncover the truth!
Research Highlights
· The first systematic analysis of GETV detected in live PRRSV vaccines
· Two independent lines of evidence (in 2020 and 2023) confirm contamination
· Genomic alignment reveals high homology (>99%) with porcine GETV
· Vaccines may be a key mechanism for the rapid spread of GETV in swine populations.
On January 23, 2025, a study on the contamination of live vaccines with Geta virus (GETV) and its potential transmission risk was published in the international academic journal MDPI Veterinary Sciences.
The study indicates that GETV, an emerging mosquito-borne virus, has been detected in commercial PRRSV live vaccines and may be surreptitiously transmitted in pigs through vaccination, posing a disease risk.
Introduction
Vaccines are an important means of preventing and controlling animal infectious diseases. However, live vaccines are susceptible to contamination by exogenous pathogens during production, leading to surreptitious transmission and even outbreaks. Common contaminants in the past include mycoplasma, chicken anemia virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and porcine circovirus.
In recent years, the discovery of an emerging mosquito-borne virus, Geta virus (GETV), in contaminating commercial PRRSV live vaccines has garnered significant attention from both scientific research and the livestock industry.
Research Results
1. First Evidence (2020):
GETV nucleic acid was detected in a live PRRSV vaccine used in 2017 and confirmed by PCR, IFA, TEM, and sequencing. Abortion rates in sows on the experimental farm increased significantly, and further testing revealed 100% antibody positivity.
2. Second Evidence (2023):
GETV was again detected in a commercial live PRRSV vaccine, and a new strain, BJ0304, was isolated. Animal experiments showed low pathogenicity in mice but could persist in the testes and kidneys.
3. Genomic Analysis:
Both contaminating strains (GETV-V1 and BJ0304) were highly similar to swine GETV strains (>99% identity) and belonged to group III, suggesting a direct link to strains circulating in the swine industry.
Figure 1. Phylogenetic Analysis of GETV
Summary
This study reveals that GETV has emerged as a novel contaminant in veterinary vaccines, suggesting that live vaccines such as PRRSV may serve as a transmission pathway during production. The increase in cases in Chinese pig herds may be related to vaccine contamination. Future efforts require strengthened testing of raw materials and finished products, inclusion of GETV in quarantine systems, and the promotion of specialized vaccine development and epidemiological surveillance.
Người liên hệ: Mr. Huang Jingtai
Tel: 17743230916
