Reproduction in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) seropositive gilts inseminated with PCV2b spiked semen

Background

Since 1999, field evidence of transplacental infection by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and reproductive failure has been reported in pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological consequences of PCV2 infection in conventional PCV2-seropositive gilts by insemination with PCV2b-spiked semen.

Results

Six PCV2 seropositive gilts were inseminated with PCV2b-supplemented semen (infected) and three animals with semen and cell culture medium (controls). Only three out of the six infected animals were pregnant by ultrasonography on day 29 after insemination, while two out of the three controls were pregnant. One control gilt aborted on day 23 after insemination but not due to PVC2. Viraemia was demonstrated in four out of six infected and in one control gilt that became infected with PCV2a. Anti-PCV2 antibody titres showed dynamic variations in the infected group throughout the study. Among infected gilts, the animal with the lowest anti-PCV2 titre (1/100) at the beginning of the experiment and another that reached a similar low value during the experiment showed evident seroconversion over time and had also PCV2 positive foetuses. One placenta displayed mild focal necrosis of the chorionic epithelium positively stained by immunohistochemistry for PCV2 antigen.

Conclusions

PCV2-seropositive gilts can be infected with PCV2 after intrauterine exposure and low maternal antibody titre may increase the probability of a foetal infection.     

Characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in swine lymphocytes using mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs

Information regarding the susceptibility of swine lymphocytes to PCV2 is rather limited. To further explore and characterize the PCV2 infection in swine lymphocytes, an in vitro model using concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from clinically healthy PCV2-carrier pigs was introduced. It was found that the PCV2 antigen-containing rate was below 2% in PBLs from healthy PCV2-free pigs following treated simultaneously with Con A and PCV2. However, significantly higher PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rates could be seen in Con A-stimulated PBLs from clinically healthy PCV2-carrier pigs. Prior to Con A treatment, both of the PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rates in PBLs from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs were less than 1%; however, they reached 22.1+/-5.7% by flow cytometry and 27.1+/-6.5% by in situ hybridization, respectively, at 4-day post-incubation with Con A. Phenotyping of PCV2 antigen-containing cells revealed that PCV2-positive cells could be detected in both T and B lymphocyte populations within which IgM-positive B lymphocytes appeared to have a relatively higher positive rate. The Con A-stimulated PBLs also displayed a significantly higher viral load by the measurement of either PCV2 DNA copy number or viral titer when compared with the non-treated PBLs from healthy PCV2-carrier pigs. The results indicate that PBLs, especially IgM-bearing B lymphocytes, are indeed susceptible to PCV2 infection and PCV2 is capable of replicating in dividing lymphocytes. This activation-induced replication may explain in part the pathogenesis of lymphoid depletion in PMWS-affected pigs.     

PCR detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA in blood, tonsillar and faecal swabs from experimentally infected pigs

PCV2 infection is now recognized as the major factor in the development of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study we evaluated the use of PCR to detect the presence of PCV2 DNA in blood, faecal and tonsillar swabs collected from 12 pigs experimentally infected with PCV2 and sampled at selected time points post-infection. The PCR results were evaluated together with the presence of PMWS typical histopathological lesions and the presence of PCV2 antigen. PCV2 DNA was present in the blood of all 12 infected pigs at the end of the experiment and faecal and tonsillar swabs of 11 of the 12 pigs. The rate of PCR-positive serum and plasma samples was significantly higher in four pigs that showed virological and pathological evidence of PMWS, than in infected pigs without evidence of disease. In conclusion this study confirms that PCR cannot substitute for the traditional methods used for diagnosis of PMWS, however, PCR amplification of PCV2 DNA from serum or plasma could be a useful tool to support an early diagnosis of PMWS in live animals.     

Detection and genetic characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in pigs from Croatia

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) from the Circoviridae family has recently been associated with two serious diseases of swine, post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). During 2002, several outbreaks of clinical disease in pigs with weights ranging from 10 to 70 kg occurred on four farms in different locations in Croatia. The signs were consistent with PMWS and PDNS. Apart from progressive weight loss, pneumonia and/or diarrhoea, multifocal erythematous skin lesions and dermal necrosis were also observed. The PCR results obtained from PCV2 specific oligonucleotide primers confirmed a PCV2 infection. In addition, archive samples that were classical swine fever virus positive and derived from domestic pigs during an outbreak in 1997 were included in this study and one out of the three isolates was found to be positive for PCV2. For a better epizootiological understanding, genetic typing of representative isolates was carried out and compared with available isolates reported in the GenBank databases.     

Sow porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) status effect on litter mortality in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)

Previous studies have described a "litter effect" associated with mortality in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) affected farms. The main objective of this study was to evaluate litter mortality in different PMWS affected farms and to characterize it in relation to three variables of the sow: parity, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infectious status and PCV2 antibody titres. The study was performed in seven farms that experienced PMWS in nurseries and/or fattening areas. Fifteen sows from each farm were randomly selected from the same farrowing batch. Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies to PCV2 and for genomic detection of PCV2. Four piglets from each sow (60 piglets per farm) were selected and ear-tagged at birth. Out of 420 initial piglets, 104 (25%) died. Sixty three of them (60%) were necropsied, and 40 (63%) diagnosed as PMWS based on case definition criteria. Our results show that sow PCV2 viremia was significantly related to piglet mortality since more piglets per litter died from viremic than from non-viremic sows. Additionally, a significantly greater proportion of animals died from sows that had low antibody titres against PCV2 (39% vs. 18% from sows with medium to high antibody titres). The present study, of exploratory nature, confirms previous results and further characterizes the so called "litter effect" by establishing that the sow PCV2 status had a significant effect on litter mortality in PMWS affected farms.     

Genetic typing of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) isolates from Slovakia

Of 120 clinical specimens obtained from pigs bred on 28 PMWS-affected farms in Slovakia, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) was detected by single PCR in 77 samples. A short 224 bp fragment of ORF2 was used for preliminary grouping of isolates by phylogenetic analysis. Nucleotide sequences of the entire ORF2 region provided more precise genetic typing and segregation of preselected isolates (n = 10) into two known genotypes, PCV-2a (n = 1) and PCV-2b (n = 9). Complete genome sequencing of three selected isolates allowed their definitive grouping into genotype PCV-2b, cluster 1A or genotype PCV-2a, cluster 2D. No correlation between the mutations and the geographic origin of isolates was observed. Results confirmed that many PCV-2 isolates are genetically very stable since similar viruses circulate in Central and Western Europe.     

表达猪圆环2型的多拷贝P28-Cap重组猪痘病毒的构建及表达量分析

为探究猪痘病毒作为载体表达猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）-Cap蛋白,插入外源基因P28-ORF2的拷贝数与PCV2-Cap蛋白表达量的关系。本试验以猪痘病毒为载体,通过双酶切连接及无缝克隆方法构建重组质粒,并纯化到了8株含不同拷贝数（1~8拷贝） P28-ORF2的重组猪痘病毒,基于荧光斑大小、电镜观察病毒粒子及Western blotting结果进行判断。纯化到的8株重组病毒的荧光斑直径为317.41~384.96 μm,大小无明显差异。重组猪痘病毒粒子形态与亲本病毒一致。Western blotting结果为插入1拷贝P28-ORF2的重组蛋白表达量最低;随着P28-ORF2拷贝数的增加,PCV2-Cap表达量也随之增加;至插入4拷贝P28-ORF2时,PCV2-Cap表达量达到峰值;随后减少。8株重组猪痘病毒荧光斑大小无明显差异,表明猪痘病毒基因组中插入不同拷贝数P28-ORF2对重组病毒在PK15细胞内的增殖无影响。重组猪痘病毒粒子的形态未发生变化说明多拷贝外源基因的插入并未对猪痘病毒的结构造成影响。本研究结果表明,猪痘病毒为载体表达外源蛋白时,单启动子启动多拷贝外源序列能明显提高外源蛋白的表达量,插入4拷贝的外源序列为较合适的拷贝数。     

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination reduces PCV2 in a PCV2 and Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis coinfection model

We previously reported that prior porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection potentiates the severity of clinical signs, lung lesions, and fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis in infected pigs. Here, we evaluated whether PCV2 vaccination is effective in reducing fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of S. Choleraesuis and improving clinical signs associated with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis infection in 15 Cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 5/group). The vaccinated and co-infected (VAC-COINF) group received 2 ml of a commercial PCV2 vaccine at age 3 weeks. The VAC-COINF and co-infected (COINF) groups were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis at 5 and 7 weeks of age, respectively. The CONTROL group pigs received a similar volume of PBS for sham-vaccination and sham-inoculation. PCV2 vaccination clearly reduced PCV2 DNA load in the serum and postmortem tissue samples and decreased PCV2 antigen levels in tissue samples of the VAC-COINF group. After S. Choleraesuis infection, the incidence of several clinical signs increased in the VAC-COINF group compared to that in the COINF group. The microscopic lung lesions and weight gain, fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of S. Choleraesuis except in the spleen were not significantly different in the VAC-COINF and COINF groups. Thus, PCV2 vaccination reduced PCV2 in the S. Choleraesuis and PCV2 coinfection model and the effects on S. Choleraesuis were minimal.     

圆环病毒PCR技术的建立及在规模化猪场的应用

目的建立猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)的快速PCR检测方法,并对规模化猪场进行流行病学调查。方法对疑似患有典型断奶仔猪多系统衰弱综合征(PMWS)的病猪进行病理学观察,针对猪圆环病毒2型开放阅读框2(ORF2)设计特异性引物进行PCR检测,建立PCR快速检测方法。对四川地区的规模化猪场进行PCV2的流行病学调查。结果建立的PCR技术可以快速检测样品中PCV2病原,可重复性好。应用此方法对9个规模化猪场的104份样品进行检测。结论 PCV2感染在规模化猪场的存在比较普遍,本研究为进一步开展疫病的检测和进行PCV2流行病学调查奠定了基础。     

PCV2灭活疫苗对小鼠的免疫效果研究

本研究首先用猪圆环病毒2型种毒攻击Balb/c小鼠,通过病毒分离,找出可使全部小鼠感染的最低病毒含量,然后用该种毒攻击免疫后的Balb/c小鼠,评价免疫保护情况。结果显示,可使小鼠全部感染的种毒最低病毒含量为106.5 TCID50/0.1 mL,当疫苗病毒含量为105.5 TCID50/0.1 mL时即可使7/10免疫小鼠得到保护,达到了疫苗的免疫效果。该研究为现有疫苗的生产工艺改进提供了重要的参考数据。     

我国部分地区猪圆环病毒2型和猪细环病毒混合感染的调查

为了解猪圆环病毒2型(PCV-2)和猪细环病毒(TTV)混合感染情况,用PCR方法对来自湖南、江西、广东、福建和广西五省区的193份猪组织样品进行PCV-2、TTV-1和TTV-2进行检测.结果显示,PCV-2感染率为61.1％(118/193),PCV-2和TTV-1混合感染率为32.1％(62/193),PCV-2和TTV-2混合感染率为16.9％(32/193),3种病原混合感染率为9.8％(19/193),2006年PCV-2和TTV的混合感染率最高.由此可见,目前猪群中存在PCV-2和猪TTV的混合感染,PCV-2和TTV-1型混合感染率高于和TTV-2型的混合感染率,且存在一定比例的三重感染情况.     

规模化猪场猪圆环病毒2型的血清流行病学调查

为了解规模化猪场猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)血清学流行情况,采用ELISA进行PCV2抗体检测。结果表明,运城地区规模化猪场广泛存在PCV2感染,未免疫接种猪圆环病毒疫苗的外观健康猪血清样品中PCV2抗体平均阳性率为49.66%,其中种猪感染率达67%,哺乳仔猪感染率4.55%,保育猪感染率43%,育肥猪感染率64.71%;外观健康猪群检测结果提示,随着年龄的增长PCV2感染有升高趋势。为了进一步研究猪圆环病毒感染各症候群在规模化场发病特点及流行规律,采集临床疑似断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)、仔猪先天性震颤(Congenital tremors,CT)、猪肾炎皮炎综合征(PDNS)、猪的繁殖障碍(Reproductive failure)、PCV2相关性肺炎等症状猪血清400份进行PCV2抗体检测。检测结果显示,疑似PMWS症状PCV2抗体阳性率最高,达86.25%,然后依次是疑似PCV2相关性肺炎阳性率56.25%,疑似PDNS阳性率46.25%,疑似繁殖障碍阳性率26.25%,最低的是疑似CT阳性率11.25%。研究结果表明,运城地区规模化猪场PCV2感染以PMWS和PCV2相关性肺炎为主,其次是PDNS和繁殖障碍,仔猪先天性震颤感染率最低。     

猪Ⅱ型圆环病毒(PCV2)Henan株的分离与全基因组序列分析

用PCR方法从河南某猪场送检的1头疑似断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征病猪的腹股沟淋巴结中检测到了猪Ⅱ型圆环病毒（porcine circovirus type2，PCV2）核酸。将该病料研磨、过滤除菌后接种无PCV1和PCV2污染的PK-15细胞，盲传12代后，用PCR方法仍然能够在接种细胞中检测到PCV2核酸。从接种细胞中收获病毒，经超速离心纯化后电镜负染观察．可见直径约17nm、呈二十面体对称结构的病毒粒子，表明从发病猪中分离到了PCV2，将该毒株命名为PCV2Henan株。序列分析表明：该株病毒全基因组长1767bp，包含11个读码框，与PCV1同源性为76．2％～77．3％，与其他PCV2株的同源性为95．5％～99．6％。     

Immunopathological effects of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on swine alveolar macrophages by in vitro inoculation

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a multifactorial disease, in pigs. Monocyte/macrophage lineage cells, including alveolar macrophages (AMs), are the major target cells for PCV2. Swine AMs are essential for the pulmonary defense system against various pathogens. Concurrent infection of lung with opportunistic pathogens in pigs suffered from PMWS is speculated as a feature of immunosuppression. The present study was conducted to characterize the effects of PCV2 inoculation on swine AMs in the in vitro system. The parameters selected for evaluation included PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, viability, TUNEL-positive rate, phagocytosis, microbicidal capability, and capacity for production of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion, O₂⁻, and hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂), cytokines, and chemokines. High intracytoplasmic PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, absence of intranuclear signals for PCV2 antigen and nucleic acid, and lack of noticeable cell death were seen in PCV2-inoculated AMs. The PCV2-inoculated AMs displayed a transient as well as persistent reduction in the up-take and destruction of Candida albicans, respectively, accompanied by decrease in the production of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂. In PCV2-inoculated AMs, the levels of tumor necrosis- (TNF-) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly increased; the mRNA expression levels of alveolar macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factors-II (AMCF-II), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-8 were strongly up-regulated. The reduced phagocytosis and microbicidal capability in conjunction with decreased production of reactive oxygen species in PCV2-inoculated AMs suggest that PCV2-containing AMs may favor the survival and spread of PCV2. It is speculated that the functional alterations observed in PCV2-containing AMs may be potentially harmful to the lung tissue and local pulmonary defense system, especially in those PCV2-infected pigs conditioned by various PMWS development-dependent co-factors.     

Efficacy of single dose of an inactivated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) whole-virus vaccine with oil adjuvant in piglets

Background

Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) associated with PCV2 is one of the most costly diseases currently faced by the swine industry. The development of effective vaccines against PCV2 infection has been accepted as an important strategy in the prophylaxis of PMWS.

Methods

In the present study, a PK-15 cell-adapted formalin-inactivated prototype vaccine candidate was prepared using a strain of PCV2 from China. Inactivation of the virus was accomplished using a standard formalin inactivation protocol. The protective properties of the inactivated PCV2 vaccine were evaluated in piglets. Ten 28-day-old pigs were randomly assigned to two groups, each with five. Group 1 was vaccinated intramuscularly with the inactivated virus preparation; Group 2 received sterile PBS as a placebo. By 28 days post-vaccination (DPV), Groups 1 and 2 were challenged intranasally and intramuscularly with 5 × 10⁷ TCID₅₀ of a virulent PCV2 isolate.

Results

The vaccinated pigs seroconverted to PCV2 and had high levels of serum antibodies to PCV2 at 28 days after vaccination, whereas the control pigs remained seronegative. No significant signs of clinical disease were recorded following the challenge with PCV2, but moderate amounts of PCV2 antigen were detected in most lymphoid organs of the control pigs. PCV2 was detected in two out of the five vaccinated pigs. Furthermore, pathological lesions and viremia were milder in the vaccinated group.

Conclusions

The obtained results indicate that the inactivated PCV2 virus vaccine with an oil adjuvant induce an immunological response in pigs that appears to provide protection from infection with PCV2. The vaccine, therefore, may have the potential to serve as a vaccine aimed to protect pigs from developing PMWS.     

猪伪狂犬病病毒和猪圆环病毒2型混合感染猪场伪狂犬病净化方案研究

为研究伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)混合感染猪场伪狂犬病的净化,采用PCR和ELISA进行病毒核酸与抗体检测,采用不同的净化方法,选取云南省3个自繁自养种猪场,A场同时净化PRV和PCV2,免疫接种PRV疫苗;B场净化PRV,免疫接种PRV疫苗;C场同时净化PRV和PCV2,免疫接种PRV和PCV2疫苗。结果表明,C场实施猪伪狂犬病净化前gE阳性率为15.94%,gB阳性率为86.96%,实施猪伪狂犬病净化3年后gE阳性率为1.43%,gB阳性率100%。结果提示,C场在同时净化PRV和PCV2,同时接种猪伪狂犬病和圆环病毒2型疫苗的模式下,净化效果最优,为地区种猪场提供疾病净化思路。     

PCV2 Rep蛋白N-糖基化位点突变对病毒复制的影响

N-糖基化对病毒的感染与增殖均具有重要作用,与PCV2复制相关的Rep蛋白含有三个N-糖基化位点。为了分析PCV2Rep蛋白N-糖基化位点突变对病毒复制的影响,本试验构建了三个双拷贝突变体感染性克隆2M23、2M256、2M286,并成功拯救病毒。通过间接免疫荧光检测病毒的拯救效果,TCID50测定病毒的感染力,荧光定量PCR检测细胞病毒的载量。结果显示,PCV2Rep蛋白的23~25aa、256~258aa N-糖基化位点突变后降低病毒的复制能力,而286~288aa突变后增强病毒的复制能力,为进一步阐明PCV2的复制及致病机制提供参考。     

猪圆环病毒2型和3型混合感染引起的母猪繁殖障碍诊治

【目的】寻找引起某猪场母猪屡次配种不孕的原因。【方法】采集母猪饲料槽中正在食用的饲料检测黄曲霉素B₁含量;采集返情母猪的口鼻腔拭子、肛门拭子及血清,使用PCR、RT-PCR方法检测猪圆环病毒2型(Porcine circovirus 2,PCV2)、PCV3、猪伪狂犬病病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)、猪细小病毒(Porcine parvovirus,PPV)、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,PRRSV)、猪瘟病毒(Classic swine fever virus,CSFV);随机剖检13头返情母猪,采集脾脏、淋巴结、脊髓、子宫、卵巢组织检测繁殖障碍性病毒的感染情况;对检测到的PCV2和PCV3部分阳性样品进行ORF2基因序列分析;观察母猪卵巢病理变化情况,汇总分析结果,诊断该场母猪受胎率低、持续返情的原因。【结果】该猪场饲料中黄曲霉素B₁含量为4.5~9.0 μg/kg,均在GB 13078－2017规定的饲料中黄曲霉素B₁允许范围内(＜20 μg/kg)。PCR、RT-PCR结果显示,口鼻腔拭子、肛门拭子和血清的PCV2、PCV3、PRV、PPV、PRRSV、CSFV检测结果均为阴性;13头母猪的PCV2阳性率为69.23%(9/13),PCV3阳性率为38.46%(5/13),PCV2和PCV3混合感染率为30.76%(4/13)。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,PCV2在脊髓中的病毒载量最高,脾脏次之,淋巴结中最少;PCV3在脾脏中病毒载量最高,脊髓次之,卵巢中病毒载量最少。ORF2基因序列分析发现,PCV2为2d亚型,PCV3为3a亚型。卵巢病理切片观察发现,卵泡细胞数量减少,卵泡腔形状不规则、塌陷扁平。【结论】经过诊断确定该场母猪持续返情、屡配不孕的原因是PCV2和PCV3混合感染,进而引起繁殖障碍。根据诊断结果和该场情况,采取全群接种PCV2疫苗,配合全场消毒,加强生物安全防控,成功解决该场母猪繁殖障碍问题,恢复正常生产。     

猪圆环病毒2型细胞培养适应毒株的培育和鉴定

从临床表现为仔猪断奶后多系统衰竭综合征（PMWS）淋巴组织病料，经聚合酶链式反应（PCR）证实为猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）感染，采用无污染的猪肾细胞系（PK15）分离培养，并连续传代培育成一株细胞培养适应毒，命名为PCV2／LG株。分离毒株经细胞培养，于第25代后毒价显著升高，于第35代毒价可达10^5.6TCID 50/mL。采用免疫过氧化物酶单层细胞染色法（IPMA）、免疫电镜技术、分子克隆及核酸序列分析等鉴定表明，分离株感染细胞后病毒抗原主要分布在细胞核及细胞质中；病毒感染的阳性细胞呈散在分布，阳性细胞数可达50％以上；免疫电镜观察到与PCV2特异抗体结合形成的病毒免疫复合物呈实心小颗粒样粒子团，病毒粒子直径约为17nm；病毒抗原基因组由1768个核苷酸组成，与GenBank登录的8个PCV2基因组序列同源性达96．2％以上。用2mL的病毒细胞培养物（10^5.6TCID 50/mL）接种30日龄PCV2抗体阴性仔猪3头，可引起典型PMWS临床症状。本研究为进一步开展该病毒的致病性、疫苗免疫、诊断及分子生物学等研究奠定了基础。