Inclusion Body Rhinitis, also known as IBR or Cytomegalic Inclusion Disease, is a pig

Pig

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...

 disease

Disease

A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...

 caused by porcine cytomegalovirus, which is a member of the herpesvirus

Herpesviridae

The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...

 family. It is a notifiable disease

Notifiable disease

A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities. The collation of information allows the authorities to monitor the disease, and provides early warning of possible outbreaks. Many governments have enacted regulations for reporting of both human...

 that is found worldwide. It is spread both vertically

Vertical transmission

Vertical transmission, also known as mother-to-child transmission, is the transmission of an infection or other disease from mother to child immediately before and after birth during the perinatal period. A pathogen's transmissibility refers to its capacity for vertical transmission...

 and horizontally

Horizontal transmission

Horizontal transmission is the transmission of a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection between members of the same species that are not in a parent-child relationship....

 and prevalence is high.

It is not a zoonosis but the risk to humans that receive pig organ transplants is currently under investigation.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs are normally only seen in either piglets less than 3 weeks old or pregnant sows.

Signs in piglets include rhinitis

Rhinitis

Rhinitis , commonly known as a stuffy nose, is the medical term describing irritation and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose. The primary symptom of rhinitis is nasal dripping. It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses, bacteria or...

, pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...

, anaemia, fever and sudden death. Black discoloration around the eyes is often seen and gastrointestinal and neurological signs are also reported.

Signs in pregnant sows include reproductive failure, genital ulceration

Ulcer

An ulcer is a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. Ulcers can result in complete loss of the epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat. Ulcers are most common on the skin of the lower extremities and in the gastrointestinal...

 and agalactia

Agalactia

Agalactia is absence of or faulty secretion of breast milk following childbirth.It is commonly associated with Sheehan's syndrome, following post partum haemorrhage....

.

Diagnosis

A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on the history and clinical signs. Definitive diagnosis is achieved by direct

Direct fluorescent antibody

Direct fluorescent antibody is a laboratory test that uses antibodies tagged with fluorescent dye that can be used to detect the presence of microorganisms. This method offers straightforward detection of antigens using fluorescently labeled antigen-specific antibodies...

 or indirect fluorescent antibody testing (FAT), PCR, post mortem

Autopsy

An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...

 (signs include petechia

Petechia

A petechia is a small red or purple spot on the body, caused by a minor hemorrhage ."Petechiae" refers to one of the three major classes of purpuric skin conditions. Purpuric eruptions are classified by size into three broad categories...

 and pulmonary congestion), histopathology

Histopathology

Histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease...

 or electron microscopy.

Treatment and control

Often no treatment is required. However, as porcine cytomegalovirus is a herpes virus

Herpesviridae

The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...

it remains latent and sheds at times of stress. Therefore husbandry measures to minimise stress levels should be in place.