Understanding the routes of PRRSV transmission and doses required to cause infection within and between herds is critical for control and eradication of PRRSV. Aerosol research is dynamic and complex in nature. Detecting and monitoring bio-aerosols is dependent on many variables including, sampling media, sampling time, impinger type, and pathogen. Describing aerosol behavior requires standardizations of methods for consistent and meaningful results. The current research has attempted to explain these variables and methods in an effort to understand aerosol transmission more clearly. Specifically, we conclude that, among those tested, 1) Antifoam C Emulsion (Sigma A8011), and 2) wood derived activated carbon where superior antifoams and sorbents for use in aerosol collection media. Specific work that remains to be done includes:
1) Further investigation of the efficacy of sorbents using artificially created aerosols.
2) Improved estimates of sampling time for impingers and comparison of optimized media vs. controls.
3) Determination of collection efficiency of the AGI-30 and SKC-biosampler®.
4) Characterizing behavior of viruses in aerosols at different relative humidity’s and temperatures.