ABSTRACT
The influence of virulent and attenuated strains of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus with defined genomic differences on trace element profile of MARC-145 cells was investigated to elucidate the process of infection in vitro. The concentrations of seven trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn) in infected and non-infected cells were determined. Although viral replication was similar in all cases, there were distinct features of difference in the trace element profiles (changes of concentrations of Ni, Mn, Fe) in infected cells. In particular, cells infected with the attenuated strain of PRRSV (NADC8-251) contained very low level of Ni, compared with its pathogenic counterpart NADC8-252K. The infection with the Lelystad strain also led to a moderately high level of this trace element.