In an ambitious initiative to mitigate the economic impacts of viral infections in pig farming, experts from the University of Szeged (SZTE), in collaboration with Kéleshús Sertéstenyésztő és Hizlaló Kft and Biolab Diagnosztikai Laboratórium Zrt, are developing an innovative therapeutic method. The two-year research programme is backed by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH) with a substantial grant of 799 million forints, forming part of a larger investment totalling 1.238 billion forints.
Viral infections, particularly swine influenza, have long posed a significant threat to the pig farming sector. The disease primarily leads to weight loss and reduced growth rates in infected animals, causing substantial financial losses for breeders. Furthermore, the emergence of new viral variants remains an ever-present risk, alongside the possibility of viruses crossing species barriers. In large-scale farming operations, other persistent viral threats, such as porcine circovirus, further exacerbate the problem, causing additional economic and production losses.
The consortium’s pioneering project seeks to adapt superinfection therapy—an approach already proven safe and effective in humans—to address viral infections in pigs. This innovative method involves the use of non-pathogenic viruses to suppress unrelated, harmful viral infections, offering a novel way to reduce the prevalence and impact of such diseases in livestock populations.
The research will commence with laboratory-based trials involving infected pigs to assess the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Subsequently, the method will be tested under farm conditions, comparing the responses of healthy animals and those naturally infected. Researchers will closely monitor the pigs’ movements, fluid intake, and overall health. Large-scale comparative control tests will follow to ensure the reliability and practicality of the therapy under real-world farming conditions. If successful, the project aims to patent the developed treatment, potentially revolutionizing approaches to swine health management.
The anticipated benefits of the therapy include a significant reduction in the viral load within pig populations and a noticeable mitigation of infection symptoms. Consequently, the economic losses associated with viral outbreaks could be substantially reduced. Unlike conventional vaccines widely used abroad, this new method offers a fresh perspective that could lower the costs of disease prevention for pig farmers while improving the overall resilience of livestock.
Kéleshús Kft, one of the project’s key participants, plays a vital role in Hungary’s pig farming sector. Operating across two facilities, the company maintains a herd of approximately 1,300 sows. In addition to animal breeding, it runs feed mixing and drying plants, as well as a slaughterhouse. Kéleshús Kft sells half-carcasses and processed meat products through its own retail outlets, to local merchants, and to regional supermarket chains.
This research initiative represents a significant stride in the development of sustainable and economically viable solutions for Hungary’s pig farming industry. By reducing the impact of viral infections, the project not only promises to enhance livestock health and productivity but also contributes to the broader objective of strengthening the agricultural sector’s resilience against emerging health challenges.
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