Proliferative and necrotising pneumonia and severe vascular lesions in pigs naturally infected with porcine circovirus type 2

Severe disease induced by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was observed in three pigs originating from a large herd affected by respiratory and digestive signs as well as wasting. Proliferative and necrotising pneumonia (PNP) was diagnosed in two animals, while severe acute interstitial pneumonia characterised by the presence of abundant hyaline membrane in the alveoli and fibrin in the bronchioles was found in one pig. In all cases, large amounts of PCV2 antigen were found in each tissue sample collected from the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Neither porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nor swine influenza virus (SIV) was detected, and no bacteria could be cultured in any of the cases. Vascular lesions, e.g. degeneration of endothelial cells, perivascular and intramural oedema, fibrinoid necrosis, vasculitis, perivasculitis, and vascular thrombi were observed in all cases, associated with the presence of PCV2 antigen. The viral antigen was present in the intravascular mononuclear cells, endothelial cells, myocytes and infiltrating inflammatory cells in lymph and blood vessels. In one case, obliterating thrombi in the lymph and blood vessels were directly connected to areas of tissue necrosis and were associated with abundant PCV2 antigen. The results further suggest the causative role of PCV2 infection in PNP, and the importance of the vascular system in the pathogenesis of PCV2-associated diseases of swine.     

Association of porcine circovirus 2 with porcine respiratory disease complex

A retrospective study was performed on natural cases of porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) to determine the association and prevalence of PRDC with porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and other co-existing pathogens in Korea. Histologically, alveolar septa were markedly thickened by infiltrates of mononuclear cells. Moderate to marked multifocal peribronchial and peribronchiolar fibrosis were present and often extended into the airway lamina propria. Among the 105 pigs with PRDC, 85 were positive for PCV2, 66 were positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), 60 were positive for porcine parvovirus (PPV), and 14 were positive for swine influenza virus (SIV). There were 80 co-infections and 25 single infections. A co-infection of PCV2 with another additional bacterial pathogen is frequently diagnosed in PRDC. The combination of PCV2 and Pasteurella multocida (38 cases) was most prevalent followed by PCV2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (33 cases). The consistent presence of PCV2, but lower prevalence of other viral and bacterial pathogens in all pigs examined with PRDC, has led us to speculate that PCV2 plays an important role in PRDC.     

Unusual central nervous system lesions in slaughter-weight pigs with porcine circovirus type 2 systemic infection

Porcine circovirus type 2 systemic infection was diagnosed in 2 slaughter-weight pigs based on postmortem examination. The infection was associated with unusual central nervous system lesions characterized by a multifocal lymphohistiocytic to granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis with giant cell formation. The role of these nervous system lesions in the development of the clinical signs in these pigs remains uncertain.     

Viral distribution and lesions in Kunming mice experimentally infected with porcine circovirus type 2b

The viral distribution and lesions in Kunming mice experimentally infected with porcine circovirus type 2b (PCV-2b) were investigated. Seventy special pathogen free mice were divided into 2 groups with 35 mice in each group. The test group (TG) was infected with PCV-2b, the control group (CG) was inoculated with sterile cell cultures. Five mice in each group were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 dpi (day post infection), respectively. Necropsies were performed on all mice and tissues were collected for testing by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Apoptosis and necrosis in lymphoid organs were observed in virus-infected mice, and became severe from 14 to 28 dpi. The proportion of PCV-2b antigen-positive cells was moderate in lung, heart, thymus, liver or kidney, and low in brain from TG. In spleen and cervical lymph node, the proportions of PCV-2b antigen-positive cells were low to high from 7 to 28 dpi, and moderate from 35 to 42 dpi. PCV-2b DNA was detected in all tissues examined in TG from 7 to 42 dpi. Viral inclusion bodies presented in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes, macrophages, hepatocytes, podocytes, neurocytes, spermatids and uterine epithelial cells in TG. In CG, no viruses and viral lesions were detected. PCV-2b could replicate in mice, and PCV-2b associated lesions in mice were similar to those observed in pigs. The present results indicate that it is possible to use Kunming mouse as an animal model for PMWS research.     

Characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 in Taiwan

In an effort to understand the genetic diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and the prevalence of PCV2 infection in Taiwanese herds, we have sequenced the complete genomes from PCV2-infected specimens and individually measured the antibody titer against PCV2 from pigs reared in Taiwan between the years 2000 and 2002. A total of 623 specimens originating from pigs displaying varied clinical signs were screened with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results showed that 309 pigs (49.6%) tested positive for PCV2. Eight of the positive specimens were used for the amplification of the complete viral genome. Sequence comparison of the complete genomes indicated that the 8 Taiwanese PCV2 isolates shared 95-99% similarity. Phylogenetic analysis of all 40 PCV2 isolates from North America, Europe, Asia and Taiwan revealed that those isolates were grouped together in one large group containing two minor subgroups. The Taiwanese PCV2 isolates were classified into the two minor subgroups. The prevalence of serum antibodies to PCV2 in pigs was investigated, and results showed that approximately 83.5% of the pigs in Taiwan were seropositive. Finishing pigs possess the highest titers of antibodies, while 9-week-old pigs contained the lowest titers for specific antibodies. Our results suggest that PCV2 infections have become common in Taiwanese pig farms.     

Efficacy of bivalent vaccines of porcine circovirus type 2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in specific pathogen-free pigs challenged with porcine circovirus type 2d

BackgroundPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) are economically significant pathogens in the pig industry. The use of combined vaccines against PCV2 and MHP is one of the most effective ways of protecting pigs from both diseases, and it has become a part of general management.ObjectivesThis study evaluated the efficacy of two new bivalent vaccines of PCV2 and MHP (Myco-X and Myco-XD) in SPF pigs. Myco-X and Myco-XD are a combined vaccine of MHP with PCV2b and PCV2d, respectively.MethodsSixteen pigs were divided into four groups: Myco-X-vaccinated challenged, Myco-XD-vaccinated challenged, unvaccinated challenged, and unvaccinated unchallenged. Two milliliters of Myco-X were administered intramuscularly, and 0.5 mL of Myco-XD was injected intradermally at 3 wk of age. The pigs were challenged with virulent PCV2d via the intramuscular and intranasal route 4 wk post-vaccination.ResultsAll vaccinated pigs showed effective reduction of the clinical signs, the PCV2d load in the blood and nasal swab samples, as well as lung and lymphoid tissue lesions in the challenge test. Compared to unvaccinated challenged animals, the vaccinated challenged animals showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of anti-PCV2 IgG, PCV2d-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and anti-MHP IgG.ConclusionsBased on clinical, microbiological, serological, and pathological assessments, this study confirmed that both combined vaccines could protect pigs against PCV2 infection caused by PCV2d. On the other hand, further research on the efficacy evaluation of these new vaccines against the MHP challenge and PCV2d/MHP co-challenge is needed.     

Association of lymphopenia with porcine circovirus type 2 induced postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)

The composition of peripheral blood leukocyte populations was studied following experimental PCV2-infection in 3-week-old piglets. Four of 10 PCV2-infected piglets developed clinical and pathological symptoms consistent with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) between 14 and 21 days post-inoculation (p.i.), and were characterised as PMWS-affected. Only these four PMWS-affected piglets, but neither the non-symptomatic infected nor control animals, developed a clear leukopenia. Kinetic analysis demonstrated a clear loss of both CD21(+) B and CD3(+) T lymphocytes in the PMWS-affected piglets. By CD3/CD4/CD8 triple labelling, the influence of PCV2 infection on all T cell sub-populations was discernible. A loss of CD3(+)CD4(+)CD8(+) memory/activated Th lymphocytes was particularly notable. However, all T lymphocyte sub-populations-CD3(+)CD4(+)CD8(+) memory Th, CD3(+)CD4(+)CD8(-) nai;ve Th, CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(+) Tc and CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) gammadelta TCR(+) lymphocytes-were susceptible to PCV2 infection-induced lymphopenia. CD3(-)CD4(-)CD8(+) NK cells were also depleted in the PMWS-affected animals, but granulocytes and monocytes were less affected. In conclusion, PCV2 infection induces primarily a lymphopenia, but only in animals which subsequently develop PMWS. The lymphopenia can be identified early p.i., particularly with the B lymphocytes. Memory/activated Th lymphocytes might be affected more than the other T cell sub-populations, but as time progressed a collapse of both T and B cell populations was clear.     

猪圆环病毒2型感染的检测与流行病学调查

根据GenBank上发表的PCV2 ORF2和PRRSV ORF7序列设计合成引物,建立分别用于检测PCV2和PRRSV的PCR和RT-PCR方法,并对2003年9月至2005年5月采自189个可疑发病猪场的389份病料进行了PCV2和PRRSV的检测。结果显示,来自33个猪场的35份样品为PCV2阳性,猪场PCV2阳性率为17.1%;PCV2与PRRSV混合感染率为5.1%,PCV2阳性猪场中PRRSV感染率为57.6%。流行病学统计结果表明,安徽省猪场PCV2阳性率最高;安徽省和广西省猪场PCV2和PRRSV的混合感染最严重;春夏季节PCV2阳性率明显高于秋冬;消瘦、被毛粗乱是PCV2感染的主要特征;淋巴结水肿或出血,肾脏肿大、出血或呈灰白色以及脾脏病变是PCV2感染的主要病理变化;仔猪7～8周龄发病率最高。     

猪圆环病毒2型SH毒株免疫原性

用D-氨基葡萄糖处理PK-15细胞,将PCV2-SH分离株增殖传代至第50代,测定病毒滴度TCID50均为10-6.25/mL.将第20代和第50代病毒液分别灭活乳化制成灭活疫苗,进行猪体免疫保护试验.结果显示,这2个不同代次的病毒制成的疫苗都能刺激机体产生较高水平的ELISA抗体,攻毒后2个免疫组的猪均没有明显的临床症状,相对日增重相似,同时病理变化和病毒血症程度明显减轻.结果表明,PCV2-SH株具有稳定的免疫原性,并可以提供有效的免疫保护作用.     

猪圆环病毒2型的分离与鉴定

利用PCR方法,从疑似断奶猪多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)的自然病例的淋巴结和脾脏中扩增出了预期长度的猪圆环病毒2型(Porcine Circovirus type 2,PCV2)的DNA片段,并用限制性内切酶对PCR产物进行了酶切鉴定。将经PCR扩增和酶切鉴定为PCV2阳性的组织样品匀浆液接种到无PCV污染的PK15细胞中传代,经间接免疫荧光检查,在接毒细胞内观察到了特异性免疫荧光;用接毒细胞制备超薄切片,在电镜下观察到了直径大约为17nm的圆形病毒样粒子和大量不同形态的胞浆内包涵体。由此表明分离出的病毒为猪圆环病毒2型。     

猪圆环病毒2型毒株的分离鉴定

猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)可引起断奶后仔猪多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)、猪皮炎肾病综合征(PDNS)、繁殖障碍等相关疾病[1],其中以PMWS最为严重.该病主要侵害6～12周龄仔猪,引起渐进性消瘦、呼吸困难、腹泻和黄疸等,给世界养猪业造成了巨大的经济损失.     

小鼠感染猪圆环病毒2型的超微结构病变观察

为探讨猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）对小鼠超微结构的病理损伤及其病毒在细胞内的复制,20只6周龄的昆明小鼠随机平均分成2组（即A组和B组）,A组小鼠经腹腔注射PCV2细胞培养物0.1mL/只（含病毒1 000TCID50）,B组以同样的方式和剂量注射无菌细胞培养液作为对照。于PCV2感染后14d,处死所有小鼠,取其组织做电镜观察和PCV2PCR检测。结果显示,在电镜下,所有PCV2感染鼠的超微结构病变基本一致,主要表现为淋巴器官、心脏、肝脏、肺脏、肾脏、脑、肠等脏器实质细胞凋亡或坏死,细胞内线粒体水肿、内质网扩张,间质毛细血管淤血、炎症细胞浸润,并在脾脏、胸腺、淋巴结的淋巴细、巨噬细胞,以及肝细胞,肾足细胞,脑神经细胞的胞浆或胞核内发现病毒包涵体。同时通过PCR检测,所有PCV2感染鼠的组织均可检出PCV2DNA。B组（对照组）小鼠除在淋巴结可见极少数淋巴细胞凋亡外,其他组织均无任何超微结构病变;同时,所有组织也未检出PCV2DNA。由此说明PCV2可在昆明小鼠多脏器实质细胞内复制,并诱导细胞凋亡。     

广西猪圆环病毒2型感染的流行病学调查

结合流行病学、临床症状、病理变化，采用PCR技术，对2004年1月至2005年5月采自广西14个市97个疑似猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）感染发病猪场的197份组织病料（脾、肺、淋巴结）进行了PCV2检测；同时，对鉴定为PCV2阳性的组织病料和猪场进行了猪生殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）、猪瘟病毒（CSFV）、猪流感病毒（SIV）和猪伪狂犬病病毒（PRV）的检测，另外，对6个地（市）11个生猪屠宰场采集的外观健康屠宰猪的295份组织样品（脾、肺、淋巴结）进行了PCV2检测。结果显示，在197份组织样品中检出PCV2阳性病料108份，平均阳性率为54．82％（108／197），阳性猪场62个，平均阳性率为63．92％（62／97）。PCV2与PRRSV、CSFV、SIV、PRV混合感染的组织病料总阳性率为42．13％（83／197），混合感染的猪场总阳性率为57．73%（56／97）。从21头外观健康屠宰猪的组织样品中检测到PCV2，阳性率为7．10％。由此可见，PCV2感染在广西猪群中已普遍存在，混合感染和健康带毒现象使病情更加复杂。     

应用套式PCR方法检测猪圆环病毒2型

根据Genbank中发表的猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)全基因序列,设计2对PCV2特异性引物,建立套式PCR检测方法。外测引物p1、p2扩增片段长度为647bp(92-738),内测引物p3、p4扩增长度为219bp(319-537)。其中用外部引物可扩增DNA含量到10-5mg/mL,而套式PCR则比普通PCR灵敏性还要提高103倍。用该方法对山东、安徽和河北10省的899份临床发病猪的肺脏和淋巴结样品进行检测,结果有329份样品检测出阳性,平均阳性检测率达36.6%。由此可见,PCV2感染在全国范围内的发病猪群中普遍存在。     

Replication and transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 in mice

Little information is known about infection, replication and transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in species other than swine. Two sets of animal experiments were carried out to investigate the susceptibility of mice to PCV2 and to study their possible role in maintaining and transmitting the virus. In the first experiment 14 mice were inoculated with PCV2 by the intraperitoneal route with 5 x 10(2) TCID50 of the PCV2-ROM strain (Cadar et al., 2007). In a second experiment 24 mice were divided into two groups (A and B); mice in Group A (n = 18) were inoculated orally with 1 x 10(5) TCID50 PCV2-ROM and mice in Group B (n = 6) were left uninoculated until day 12 post inoculation (p.i.), when they were mixed with Group A. The animals were sacrificed at intervals for postmortem investigation and virus genome detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR results indicated that PCV2 could replicate in mice infected intraperitoneally or by the oral route, and that the virus can be transmitted directly from mouse to mouse.     

某猪场猪2型圆环病毒感染的诊断

猪2型圆环病毒(PCV2)是引起断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)的主要病原,此外,PCV2还可能与猪皮炎肾病综合征、猪呼吸系统综合征、仔猪先天性震颤等疾病有关.PMWS临床症状主要表现为进行性消瘦,生长发育受阻,皮肤苍白或有黄疸,体表淋巴结肿大,腹泻,贫血和呼吸道症状等.     

First report of porcine circovirus type 2 infections in Cuba

To obtain information about the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection status of pigs in Cuba and the probable association of PCV2 with other porcine viruses, tissue samples collected from ill pigs were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR analysis showed that 67.7% of the samples (23/34) from seven swine herds of six different geographic regions were detected to be positive for PCV2. Ten of the 23 PCV2 positive samples (43.5%) shown a concurrent infection with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and 17 of 23 PCV2 positive samples (73.9%) exhibited a concomitant infection with classical swine fever virus (CSFV). This study is the first report of PCV2 infecting pigs with different clinical conditions in Cuban swine herds and provides evidence of PCV2 co-infection with PPV and CSFV in the field.     

2009年我国猪群中猪圆环病毒2型感染情况调查

为了解我国猪群中猪圆环病毒2型（Porcine circovirustype2,PCV2）的感染情况,分析感染与猪年龄的关系,本试验于2009年在我国28个省市的71个中小规模场、22个屠宰场和62家散养户采集了2905份猪血清样品,用PCR法对PCV2进行检测。结果显示,检出阳性血清429份,阳性率为14．8％。在被调查的场／P中,86．4％屠宰场、52．1％中小规模场和58．1％散养户为PCV2感染阳性,其中48．6％的PCV2阳性中小规模场的群阳性率低于10％。分析中小规模场PCV2感染情况和猪年龄之间的关系发现,在5个年龄组中,2～4周龄组未检出PCV2感染,5周龄以上各组均检出PCV2感染,其中11～14周龄组和15～26周龄组阳性率较高,高于5～7周龄组和8～10周龄组。     

猪圆环病毒2型致病机制研究进展

猪圆环病毒2型是引起断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征(PMW S)的主要病原。PMW S主要以进行性消瘦和多系统病理损伤为特征,近些年来流行很广,给世界养猪业带来巨大损失。本文对该病毒致病机制的研究进展作一综述。