Micro-dissecting the pathogenesis and immune response of PRRSV infection paves the way for more efficient PRRSV vaccines.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the most important infectious pathogen in pigs worldwide nowadays. Due to its genetic drift and increasing power to escape from immunity, PRRSV becomes more and more difficult to control. Based on a better knowledge of PRRSV, its interaction with the host cell, the macrophage, its pathogenesis and the immunity against this virus, new vaccines can now be constructed. This research-based development of new generation vaccines will allow swine industry to face the devastating consequences of PRRSV infections in the future. The present review summarizes the present knowledge on the pathogenesis, the immune response and the research-based vaccine development.