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Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) — a persistent, often fatal disease in pigs— is on the rise and they don’t know why.

Minor, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in most pig producing countries, including Australia. However, they are becoming increasingly more severe, particularly in parts of Europe.

“The problem is we do not know what causes the disease or how it is transmitted,” said Rachel Morrissey, a researcher and Director of ACE Laboratory Services in Bendigo, Victoria.

“Infected pigs develop skin lesions and often suffer respiratory distress and diarrhoea.

“The syndrome often persists on farms for many months, and there is no vaccination or treatment.”Rachel’s using her award to study the disease.

“My project will be conducted in two parts. The first stage is to collate and summarise the current knowledge of PDNS,” she said. “The second is to collect skin and kidney samples from pigs that have been affected by the disease for analysis in the laboratory.”

“This research will help us distinguish PDNS from other diseases with similar symptoms.”“Hopefully it will also play an important role in the development of improved methods of detection, control and even eradication of the disease.”

“We need to know if PDNS represents the tip of the iceberg of a disease that may be causing significant production losses in the pig industry.”