Veterinary session

During the SARS-CoV-2 human coronavirus pandemic that started in 2019, it was observed that the number of previously common seasonal human influenza infections has decreased. In our research, we sought to explore the reasons for this phenomenon. For this purpose, we selected the swine as a model animal and its pathogens. Our basic hypothesis is that the two virus families (we selected infectious transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine respiratory coronavirus and influenza A virus for testing) may be able to influence each other in some way during co-infection. Samples for the study were obtained from 4 different pig farms. From these samples, we detected the viruses and antibodies against them and investigated the combined effect of the two viruses on cell cultures. In our studies, we were unable to detect either virus in one of the four colonies, only coronavirus was detected from two colonies and both viruses were present in one colony. In coronavirus and influenzavirus tissue culture cytopathogenic effect was found, and the cytokine assay was inconclusive. It is assumed that there may be competition between the two viruses, but if both viruses colonise an animal, a worsening of the symptoms should be expected. None of these hypotheses could be disproved, nor confirmed. This can also be explained by the low sample number. Lastly I recommend further testing by coculture or lymphocyte stimulation to detect cytokin levels.