Integrating phylodynamics and historical records reveals decades-old introductions of PRRSV into Costa Rica via international swine trade

BackgroundIn August 1995, necropsies on post-weaning piglets from the CA-CART farm in the province of Cartago, Costa Rica, revealed respiratory lesions, pleuritis, peritonitis, and arthritis. Skin lesions were also observed, progressing to scabs. A subsequent outbreak in 1996 prompted antibiotic administration. Mortality analysis from 1990 to 1995 showed no significant seasonal patterns, but yearly variations were noted. Piglets born in Costa Rica from imported gilts had a higher average mortality rate (10.65%) than the 8.11% mortality rate for piglets born from non-imported gilts and sows or imported sows (p = 0.002). MethodsIn March 1996, serum samples were sent for potential PRRS virus (PRRSV) diagnosis, and 10 PRRSV-2 ORF5 sequences collected during a prospective study from 2019-2021 were obtained from various locations in the country. In this article, we seek to investigate the evolutionary and spatio-temporal dynamics of PRRSV-2 in Costa Rica in the context of international swine movements using the phylodynamic framework integrated with the BEAST package. Results and DiscussionThe phylodynamic modeling estimated at least two independent PRRSV-2 introductions into the country. The earliest introduction occurred around 1978 (95% highest posterior density interval: 1959.01-1997.54) and led to the viruses circulating in the farm 1CRC with an origin from Japan, possibly via US swine exports. A second cluster, 4CRC, subsequently emerged within Costa Rica from the earlier 1CRC lineage (1990.24; 95% HPD interval = 1976.15-2010.30). Another viral introduction from the US occurred around 1991 (95% highest posterior density interval: 1974.34-2011.35) and established the 3CRC cluster. Though the viral introduction was traced back to the US, the limited genomic surveillance of PRRSV leaves room for considering alternative origins. ConclusionOur findings provide a high-resolution model of how international swine trade drives the introduction and evolution of a major livestock pathogen, highlighting the critical need for integrating genomic surveillance into biosecurity protocols.