Biological evidence for genomic regions associated with host response to co-infection with PRRS virus and PCV2b in commercial nursery pigs

An abstract of a study by Dunkelberger et al identifying genomic regions (other than WUR) associated with average daily gain (ADG) and viral load (VL) following co-infection with PRRS virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV2b) and to assess the biological relevance of these regions is presented. For ADG of Vx pigs Post Co-X, production QTL and genes near neighboring SNPs were overrepresented for metabolic processes and macrophage activation. Taken together, these results provide biological evidence that support statistical associations identified from GWAS, which present opportunities to select for improved host response to PRRSV and PCV2b co-infection.