Morphological and genetic analysis of Vietnamese Sus scrofa bones for evidence of pig domestication

In the present study, we used morphological and genetic analyzes to distinguish bones of domestic boars from those of wild boars. We analyzed 65 Sus bones (cranium, mandible and teeth) stored in three research institutes in Vietnam and in a village in Vietnam. Based on comparison of bucco‐lingual measurements of mandibular parts, the 58 specimens were morphologically classified into two size groups: a large bone group and a small bone group. Analysis of 572‐bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences indicated that the large bones had genetic links to wild boar lineage including Ryukyu, Taiwan and Korean wild boars, and that the small bone group was closely related to East Asian domestic pigs. The phylogenetic analysis and parsimonious networks constructed among mtDNA haplotypes belonging to Ryukyu wild boar lineage showed that the Ryukyu wild boar is closely related to the Vietnamese wild boars, and uniquely miniaturized on their islands after the Ryukyu archipelago became isolated from the Asian continent.     

Mitochondrial diversity of native pigs in the mainland South and South-east Asian countries and its relationships between local wild boars

In this study, we analyzed DNA sequence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions on the 130 native domestic pigs and eight wild boars in the mainland South and South-east Asian countries including Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Forty-four haplotypes were found in the 138 individuals, 41 were in the domestic and four were in wild boars. Only one haplotype was shared by domestic and wild population in Bhutan. In other cases, mtDNA of wild boars did not show close affinity to that of the domestic pigs in the same location, indicating that the native domestic pigs in these countries did not originate in the present habitat. Phylogenetic analyzes of mtDNA haplotypes recapitulated several major clusters identified in other studies, but 11 haplotypes were grouped in a new cluster we named MTSEA. In most cases, more than one lineage group were present in a sampling station, indicating that the present indigenous domestic pigs may have multiple origins. The MTSEA haplotypes were present in relatively high frequencies in domestic pigs in the mountainous area of mainland South-east Asia (Cambodia and Laos), with a few found in Myanmar and Bhutan. The distributions of MTSEA haplotypes are in great conformity with the distribution of present-day Mon-Khmer language and indicated the existence of yet another independent domestication. The D2 haplotypes that distribute high frequency (almost 100%) throughout the Chinese breeds were dominant in Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. These results suggest an existence of human-mediated dispersal of domestic pigs from north to the south during the historical expansion of Sino-Tibetan and Tai peoples. The D3 haplotypes previously reported in north India were found in sympatric domestic and wild pigs in Bhutan. The D3 haplotype is an important proof of independent domestication event and/or great gene flow between wild and domestic pigs in the foot of Himalaya.     

The phylogenetic status of typical Chinese native pigs: analyzed by Asian and European pig mitochondrial genome sequences

China is one of the most diverse countries, which have developed 88 indigenous pig breeds. Several studies showed that pigs were independently domesticated in multiple regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin and evolution of Chinese pigs using complete mitochondrial genomic sequences (mtDNA) from Asian and European domestic pigs and wild boars. Thirty primer pairs were designed to determine the mtDNA sequences of Xiang pig, Large White, Lantang, Jinhua and Pietrain. The phylogenetic status of Chinese native pigs was investigated by comparing the mtDNA sequences of complete coding regions and D-loop regions respectively amongst Asian breeds, European breeds and wild boars. The analyzed results by two cluster methods contributed to the same conclusion that all pigs were classified into two major groups, European clade and Asian clade. It revealed that Chinese pigs were only recently diverged from each other and distinctly different from European pigs. Berkshire was clustered with Asian pigs and Chinese pigs were involved in the development of Berkshire breeding. The Malaysian wild boar had distant genetic relationship with European and Asian pigs. Jinhua and Lanyu pigs had more nucleotide diversity with Chinese pigs although they all belonged to the Asian major clade. Chinese domestic pigs were clustered with wild boars in Yangtze River region and South China.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variations in some Italian wild boar populations

In order to investigate the relationships between Italian wild boar and major pig breeds, we studied the genetic variability of four wild boar populations in Italy (Arezzo, Pisa, Parma, Bergamo) using a 533-bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Sixty-nine wild boar samples were analysed, allowing the identification of 10 distinct haplotypes, which involve a total of 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Phylogenetic and network analyses were performed also considering several sequences of wild and domesticated forms available in the databases. The Bayesian phylogenetic tree and the Median-Joining network analyses show three main groups: the Italian (IT), European (EU) and Asian (AS) clades. The IT clade corresponds to the Maremma endemic wild boar population and also includes Sardinian individuals, while the EU and AS groups include wild boars as well as domestic pig breeds. Only two individuals from Pisa cluster in the IT group, whereas two haplotypes from Bergamo cluster in the AS group and all other samples cluster in the EU clade. These findings suggest that in Italy wild boar populations have a mixed origin, both EU and AS, and that an interbreeding between wild and domesticated strains has probably occurred. Eight of the 10 wild boars coming from the Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli Regional Park (Pisa) belong to H2 and H3 haplotypes, and cluster into the EU clade, suggesting that this regional park is not anymore exclusive of the endemic Maremma wild boar.     

A review of viral diseases of the European wild boar: effects of population dynamics and reservoir rôle

There has been a worldwide increase in the number and geographical spread of wild boar populations in recent decades leading to an increase in both the circulation of disease agents and greater contact with domestic animals and humans. Diseases affect the population dynamics of wildlife but the effects of most viral diseases on the European wild boar are largely unknown. Many viral diseases present in domestic pig populations are also present in wild boars where they can provide a disease reservoir, as is clearly the case with classical swine fever, but little is known about other viral diseases such as porcine circovirus diseases or hepatitis E. This review considers the current scientific knowledge of the effects of viral diseases on wild boar populations and their r?le as potential disease reservoirs. The focus is on those viral diseases of domestic swine and wild boars that are included as notifiable by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE).     

Epidemiological study on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is considered as the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in domestic pigs, where the virus is ubiquitous as evidenced by serological surveys. We present the results of the first nationwide sero-survey on the presence of PCV2 antibodies in European wild boars, and report the first PMWS case in a wild boar from Spain. Sera from 656 hunter harvested wild boars from 45 different geographical sites and 22 additional imported animals were analysed by means of an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). We also examined the tissues from 55 healthy and one diseased wild boars for the presence of PCV2 nucleic acid and PMWS lesions by in situ hybridisation and histopathology, respectively. Additionally, abundance estimates of wild boars and field interviews were carried out on 30 sampling sites. The prevalence of medium to high PCV2 serological titres among the examined wild boars was 47.89 +/- 1.9%. Seropositive wild boars appeared in all but one of the geographical regions analysed. Seroprevalence and titre of PCV2 antibodies were closely related to the management of the wild boar populations. Wild boars from intensively managed, farm-like populations had higher prevalence than wild boars living in more natural situations. The effect of wild boar abundance and management on PCV2 antibody prevalence was further evidenced by the high correlation existing between the relative abundance estimates of animals and the percentage of wild boars with medium to high levels of PCV2 antibodies. PCV2 nucleic acid was detected in the tissues of three wild boars. One of these was diagnosed as PMWS. The results, in addition to information on piglet mortalities, suggest a potential role of PMWS in piglet mortality in intensively managed wild boar populations.     

Detection of hepatitis E virus in archived German wild boar serum samples

Hepatitis E is a rare human disease in Central Europe commonly imported from endemic regions. For autochthonous infections a zoonotic transmission from pigs, deer and wild boar is assumed. Using three different RT-PCR protocols, hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA was detected in 10 out of 189 (5.3%) serum samples collected in 1995/1996 from wild boars in Germany. Sequence analysis indicates a close relationship with genotype 3 isolates of pigs and humans from the Netherlands and Japan. The results indicate that HEV is present in Germany since more than 10 years and that wild boar may function as a reservoir for HEV.     

Experimental infection of European wild boars and domestic pigs with pseudorabies viruses with differing virulence

OBJECTIVE: To determine susceptibility of European wild boars (Sus scrofa) to infection with pseudorabies virus (PrV) and to characterize the virulence of a wildboar PrV isolate for wild and domestic pigs. ANIMALS: 18 wild boars and 16 domestic pigs. PROCEDURE: Three groups of 4 wild boars were inoculated with PrV Bartha, Kaplan, and a wild-boar isolate (BFW1) and housed with uninfected pigs. Two groups of domestic pigs (4 and 8 pigs/group, respectively) were inoculated with various doses of BFW1. Animals were observed daily for clinical signs, and samples were tested for PrV excretion and homologous antibodies. After reactivation of latent infection by induced immunosuppression, PrV was detected in tissues of necropsied animals, using cell culture and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Clinical signs depended on virulence of the PrV strain and dose of inoculum. Only infection with PrV Kaplan resulted in severe disease and death. Virus was isolated from nasal and genital swab specimens. Antibodies were first detected on day 7 after inoculation; a specific humoral immune response was delayed in BFW1-infected animals. Virus was isolated from various tissues of Kaplan-infected wild boars, whereas mainly viral DNA was detected in a few tissues of Bartha- and BFW1-infected animals, using PCR after immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: European wild boars are susceptible to transmission of PrV infection from domestic pigs and vice-versa. The PrV isolate BFW1 is of low virulence and seems to be adapted to the wild boar population from which it was isolated.     

A serological survey of Brucella spp. in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa leucomystax) in Shikoku, Japan

Brucella, a causative agent of brucellosis and facultative intracellular pathogen, has been isolated recently from a variety of wild mammals. In this study, serum samples from 115 Japanese wild boar (Sus Scrofa leucomystax) killed by hunters in the 4 Prefectures of Shikoku, Japan were tested for antibodies to Brucella spp. by means of the tube agglutination test (TAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antigens extracted with n-lauroylsarcosine. In 9 of the 115 samples (7.8%) antibodies to Brucella spp. were detected by TAT and ELISA. These results suggest that wild boar in Shikoku may be exposed to Brucella spp. or other cross-reactive pathogen infection.     

Basic reproduction number of African swine fever in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and its spatiotemporal heterogeneity in South Korea

BackgroundAfrican swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic fever occurring in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs. The epidemic situation of ASF in South Korean wild boars has increased the risk of ASF in domestic pig farms. Although basic reproduction number (R₀) can be applied for control policies, it is challenging to estimate the R₀ for ASF in wild boars due to surveillance bias, lack of wild boar population data, and the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass on disease dynamics.ObjectivesThis study was undertaken to estimate the R₀ of ASF in wild boars in South Korea, and subsequently analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity.MethodsWe detected the local transmission clusters using the spatiotemporal clustering algorithm, which was modified to incorporate the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass. With the assumption of exponential growth, R₀ was estimated for each cluster. The temporal change of the estimates and its association with the habitat suitability of wild boar were analyzed.ResultsTotally, 22 local transmission clusters were detected, showing seasonal patterns occurring in winter and spring. Mean value of R₀ of each cluster was 1.54. The estimates showed a temporal increasing trend and positive association with habitat suitability of wild boar.ConclusionsThe disease dynamics among wild boars seems to have worsened over time. Thus, in areas with a high elevation and suitable for wild boars, practical methods need to be contrived to ratify the control policies for wild boars.     

Nationwide survey of hepatitis E virus infection among wildlife in Japan

In Japan, hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis in humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, including game meat. In the present study, nationwide surveillance of HEV infection among a total of 5,557 wild animals, including 15 species, was conducted in Japan. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in wild boar was 12.4%, with higher positive rates in big boars (over 50 kg, 18.4%) than in small individuals (less than 30 kg, 5.3%). Furthermore, HEV RNA was more frequently detected in piglets than in older boars. Interestingly, the detection of HEV among wildlife by ELISA and RT-PCR suggested that HEV infection in Sika deer was a very rare event, and that there was no HEV infection among wild animals except for wild boar, Sika deer and Japanese monkeys. In conclusion, wild boar, especially piglets, are at high risk of HEV infection, while other wild animals showed less risk or no risk of HEV transmission.     

Classical swine fever virus Strain 'C'. How long is it detectable after oral vaccination?

To determine the persistence period of C-strain vaccine virus in immunized animals, domestic pigs and wild boars were vaccinated orally and killed on different days post vaccinationem (dpv). Tissue samples were taken at necropsy from both species for detection of C-strain virus. From domestic pigs nasal swabs and faeces were also collected. During the investigation period (2-12 dpv) vaccine virus could never be detected in nasal secretions and in faeces of vaccinated domestic pigs. In contrast, C-strain virus was found in organs until day 8 pv in domestic pigs and until day 9 pv in wild boars. Whereas in domestic pigs virus was detected in tonsils, Ln. mandibularis or in spleen, in wild boar it only was found in tonsils. We conclude that C-strain vaccine virus is not detectable in wild boars longer than 10-12 days after intake of the vaccine baits.     

Classical Swine Fever Virus Strain ‘C’. How Long is it Detectable After Oral Vaccination?

To determine the persistence period of C‐strain vaccine virus in immunized animals, domestic pigs and wild boars were vaccinated orally and killed on different days post vaccinationem (dpv). Tissue samples were taken at necropsy from both species for detection of C‐strain virus. From domestic pigs nasal swabs and faeces were also collected. During the investigation period (2–12 dpv) vaccine virus could never be detected in nasal secretions and in faeces of vaccinated domestic pigs. In contrast, C‐strain virus was found in organs until day 8 pv in domestic pigs and until day 9 pv in wild boars. Whereas in domestic pigs virus was detected in tonsils, Ln. mandibularis or in spleen, in wild boar it only was found in tonsils. We conclude that C‐strain vaccine virus is not detectable in wild boars longer than 10–12 days after intake of the vaccine baits.     

Prevalence of porcine circoviruses in Transylvanian wild boars, detected by real-time PCR--short communication

Porcine circoviruses (PCV) are widespread in domestic pigs worldwide and there is growing information about the presence of PCV in other suid species. Based on serological studies with sera of wild boars, it was established that PCV1 was present in these animals and antibodies specific to PCV2 were also detected in wild boars living in captivity or in sylvatic areas, both with or without clinical signs of PMWS. Studies including PCV2 genome or antigen detection confirmed the previous findings. This is the first report about the presence of PCV in Transylvanian wild boar populations. Four hundred and sixty-nine samples were collected and grouped according to geographic origin, tested for the presence of PCV DNA using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, and 13.52% of the animals proved to be positive for one or in three cases both of the PCV genotypes. PCV2 was detected in all of the PCV-positive samples.     

First isolation of Haemophilus parasuis and other NAD-dependent Pasteurellaceae of swine from European wild boars

Haemophilus parasuis is a colonizer of the upper respiratory tract of pigs and the etiological agent of Gl?sser's disease, which is characterized by a fibrinous polyserositis, meningitis and arthritis. Gl?sser's disease has never been reported in wild boar (Sus scrofa), although antibodies against H. parasuis have been detected. The goal of this study was to confirm the presence of this bacterium in wild boar by bacterial isolation and to compare the strains to H. parasuis from domesticated pigs. Therefore, nasal swabs from 42 hunted wild boars were processed for bacterial isolation and subsequent H. parasuis identification by specific PCR, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Two different strains of H. parasuis from two wild boars were isolated. These strains belonged to serotype 2 and were included by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MLST analysis in a cluster with other H. parasuis strains of nasal origin from domestic pigs. During this study, Actinobacillus minor and Actinobacillus indolicus, which are NAD-dependent Pasteurellaceae closely related to H. parasuis, were also isolated. Our results indicate similarities in the respiratory microbiota of wild boars and domestic pigs, and although H. parasuis was isolated from wild boars, more studies are needed to determine if this could be a source of H. parasuis infection for domestic pigs.     

Virulence genes and plasmid profiles in Rhodococcus equi isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Brazil

The virulence genes and plasmid profiles of 23 Rhodococcus equi isolates from 258 lymph nodes from domestic pigs (129 nodes with lesions and 129 without lesions) and 120 lymph nodes from slaughtered wild boars (60 nodes with lesions and 60 without) were characterized. R. equi was obtained from 19 lymph nodes of domestic pigs, 17 with, and two without lesions, and from four lymph nodes with lesions, from wild boars. The 23 isolates were tested for the presence of vapA and vapB genes, responsible for the 15–17 and 20 kDa virulence-associated proteins, respectively, by PCR in order to characterize as virulent (VapA), intermediately virulent (VapB) and avirulent. Plasmid DNAs were isolated and analyzed by digestion with restriction endonucleases to estimate size and compare their polymorphisms. Of the 19 domestic pigs strains, seven (36.8%) were avirulent and 12 (63.2%) were intermediately virulent, with the intermediately virulent isolates being plasmid types 8 (8 isolates), 10 (2 isolates), 1 (1 isolate) and 29 (1 isolate). The plasmid type of four strains isolated from wild boars was also intermediately virulent type 8. None of the domestic pigs and wild boar isolates showed the vapA gene. These findings demonstrate a high occurrence of plasmid type 8 in isolates from pigs and wild boars, and the similarity of plasmid types in the domestic pigs, wild boars and human isolates in Brazil.     

The novel polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene and its distribution in domestic pigs and wild boars in Asia

The beta 3‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is a G protein‐coupled receptor that is involved in regulating energy homeostasis. We have studied DNA sequences of porcine ADRB3 to find candidate genetic polymorphisms for economically important growth and performance traits in pigs. Five novel haplotypes derived from the three In/dels and 44 SNPs were identified among domestic pigs and wild boars. Three of them encode non‐synonymous amino acid sequences by five missense polymorphisms and a frameshift by a thymine insertion. The amino acid polymorphic sites were distributed as follows: one substitution was in extracellular loop 1, three substitutions were in intracellular loop3 and one substitution and the deletion of two amino acids were at the carboxyl‐terminal. There was no polymorphism in the transmembrane domains. In addition, we surveyed the allelic frequency of the thymine insertion that cause frameshift in South‐east Asian local pigs, including some commercial breeds and wild boars. This thymine insertion was distributed widely in the domestic pigs and wild boars. The frequencies of this allele were relatively low in Western improved breeds, while they were very common in Asian breeds and wild boars in Asia. This result indicates that this insertion originally occurred in ancient Asian wild boars and then circulated among Asian domestic pigs. This allele also spread over Western breeds, probably through the introgression of Asian pigs into European stocks during the 18th and 19th centuries.     

野猪SLA—DQB外显子2的核苷酸多态性分析

本试验采用DNA测序技术测定了15头野猪235bp的SLA—DQB基因外显子2序列．结合GeneBank中报道的另3头野猪和18头家猪共36个个体的相应序列，重点对野猪SLA—DQB外显子2进行核苷酸多态性分析。结果表明野猪SLA—DQB外显子2具有较丰富的核苷酸多态性；在家猪品种改良中，野猪具有潜在的遗传价值。     

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boars in Switzerland

Hepatitis E is considered an emerging human viral disease in industrialized countries. Studies from Switzerland report a human seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) of 2.6–21%, a range lower than in adjacent European countries. The aim of this study was to determine whether HEV seroprevalence in domestic pigs and wild boars is also lower in Switzerland and whether it is increasing and thus indicating that this zoonotic viral infection is emerging. Serum samples collected from 2,001 pigs in 2006 and 2011 and from 303 wild boars from 2008 to 2012 were analysed by ELISA for the presence of HEV‐specific antibodies. Overall HEV seroprevalence was 58.1% in domestic pigs and 12.5% in wild boars. Prevalence in domestic pigs was significantly higher in 2006 than in 2011. In conclusion, HEV seroprevalence in domestic pigs and wild boars in Switzerland is comparable with the seroprevalence in other countries and not increasing. Therefore, prevalence of HEV in humans must be related to other factors than prevalence in pigs or wild boars.