Co-existence of multiple strains of porcine circovirus type 2 in the same pig from China

Virol J. 2011 Nov 13:8:517. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-517.

Abstract

Pigs are often co-infected by different viral strains from the same virus. Up to now, there are few reports about co-existence of different porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate it in Chinese swine herds. 118 PCV2 positive DNAs isolated from diseased pigs identified by classic PCR were re-detected using a modified differential PCR assay. The results indicated that co-existence rates of PCV2 were 32.2% (38/118) in diseased pigs and 0% (0/41) in asymptomatic pigs. Four PCV2 complete genomes were cloned from two co-infected samples and their nucleotide (nt) identities were 95%-97.3%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that four PCV2 strains were divided into different genotypes, PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2e, respectively. In addition, co-existence were not detected in 41 serum samples from healthy pigs but PCV2 single infection (31.7%, 13/41) existed. These data revealed that the co-existence of different strains of PCV2 might contribute to the development of more severe clinical symptoms for pigs. This is the first report confirming the co-existence of different PCV2 strains in Chinese swine herds. Meanwhile, this study could help us to understand new infection and prevalence forms of PCV2 clinically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • China / epidemiology
  • Circoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Circoviridae Infections / genetics
  • Circoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Circoviridae Infections / virology
  • Circovirus / classification
  • Circovirus / genetics*
  • Circovirus / isolation & purification
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Coinfection
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Viral / classification
  • DNA, Viral / genetics*
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Genotype
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Swine Diseases / genetics
  • Swine Diseases / virology*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral