It’s no secret that trailers can act as a means of virus transport, moving it from one barn to another.  With PRRSv virus, and especially when PEDv hit hard in 2013, Pipestone has put enormous focus on our livestock trailer sanitation protocol.  Historically Pipestone chose to use Synergize as a disinfectant when washing trailers.  The decision was based on historical research conducted at the University of Minnesota proving its efficacy.  The heightened awareness of PEDv brought buzz of a new disinfectant from Canada called Accel, peaking the interest of Pipestone’s research and biosecurity teams.

In a continued search for new, or better performing products, Pipestone decided to compare PED contaminated transport vehicles disinfected with Synergize and Accel.  The standard Synergize concentration was used, and both concentration options on the Accel label were tested.  Additionally, industry claims that trailers did not need to be washed, but that solely disinfecting with Accel would be enough to kill PEDv.  We were doubtful, but regardless wanted to put those claims to the test.

Pipestone set up a trial to compare the following:

1. A trailer contaminated with PEDv, washed and disinfected using the Pipestone Protocol with Synergize (1 oz per gallon)
2. A trailer contaminated with PEDv, washed and disinfected using the Pipestone Protocol with Accel at a 4 oz per gallon concentration.
3. A trailer contaminated with PEDv, washed and disinfected using the Pipestone Protocol with Accel at a 8 oz per gallon concentration.
4. A trailer contaminated with PEDv, disinfected with Accel but not washed prior to disinfectantion.
5. A negative control trailer  – no contamination applied. .

In 4’ x2’ model aluminum trailers, Pipestone Applied Research began contaminating each trailer (other than the clean trailer) with PEDv spiked feces. Samples were collected to measure starting concentrations of virus.

Next, appropriate trailers went through the Pipestone protocol for washing and disinfection.  Organic material was scraped and removed and Barn Storm detergent was used during the wash phase. At this point, another sample of the trailer was taken to see how much virus had been removed with the wash alone.  Finally, disinfectants were applied according to trial design.

Results were as follow:

Through the above trial, we learned that trailers effectively sanitized under the Pipestone protocol with synergize cleaner disinfectant were PCR negative at 2 hours post wash.  Accel worked well but took longer and still had live virus at 2 hours.  Most importantly, we reconfirmed that trailers MUST be properly cleaned in order for the disinfectant to work.  The data we found in this study supported Pipestone’s continued use of synergize in Pipestone Transport and stresses the importance to properly cleaning trailers prior to disinfection.

Should you have questions about the study, disinfecting trailers, or biosecurity practices in general, feel free to contact Pipestone veterinarians at 507.825.4211 or submit a question at customerservice@pipevet.com.