Associations of natural variation in the CD163 and other candidate genes on host response of nursery pigs to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection

Pigs with complete resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV) have been produced by genetically knocking out the CD163 gene that encodes a receptor of the PRRSV for entry into macrophages. The objectives of this study were to evaluate associations of naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD163 gene and in three other candidate genes (CD169, RGS16, and TRAF1) with host response to PRRSV-only infection and to PRRS vaccination and PRRSV/porcine circovirus 2b (PCV2b) coinfection. SNPs in the CD163 gene were not included on SNP genotyping panels that were used for previous genome-wide association analyses of these data. An additional objective was to identify the potential genetic interaction of variants at these four candidate genes with a mutation in the GBP5 gene that was previously identified to be associated with host response to PRRSV infection. Finally, the association of SNPs with expression level of the nearby gene was tested. Several SNPs in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes were significantly associated with host response under PRRSV-only and/or PRRSV/PCV2b coinfection. The effects of all SNPs that were significant in the PRRSV-only infection trials depend on genetic background. The effects of some SNPs in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes depend on genotype at the putative causative mutation in the GBP5 gene, which indicates a potential biological interaction of these genes with GBP5. In addition, genome-wide association results for the PRRSV-only infection trials revealed that SNPs located in the CDK5RAP2 or MEGF9 genes, near the TRAF1 gene, had suggestive effects on PRRS viral load, which indicates that these SNPs might contribute to PRRSV neuropathogenesis. In conclusion, natural genetic variants in the CD163, CD169, and RGS16 genes are associated with resistance to PRRSV and/or PCV2b infection and appear to interact with the resistance quantitative trait locus in the GBP5 gene. The identified SNPs can be used to select for increased natural resistance to PRRSV and/or PRRSV-PCV2b coinfection.     

C-terminal heat shock protein 70 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a molecular adjuvant for DNA vaccination with the porcine circovirus type 2 ORF2 (capsid) gene in mice

Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and the peptide binding C-terminal portion of HSP70 (amino acids 359-610; HSP70c) exert an adjuvant effect when used in vaccines. To enhance the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), recombinant plasmids encoding the PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) gene fused to full length hsp70 (pCA-TCH) or truncated C-terminal hsp70c (pCA-TCHc) were constructed. Immunisation of mice with pCA-TCHc induced higher serum immunoglobulin G antibody levels, stronger T helper 1 immune responses and lower PCV2 viral titres following challenge than immunisation with pCA-TCH or Cap plasmids only.     

Immunogenicity of Empty Capsids of Porcine Circovius Type 2 Produced in Insect Cells

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), a single-stranded DNA virus, is associated with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). ORF2 protein (capsid) of PCV2 was recently demonstrated to be a major immunogenable to induce protection in pigs with a prime–boost protocol. In this study, the ORF2 gene of PCV2 was expressed in insect cells. The product self-assembled into particles that were structurally and antigenically indistinguishable from regular PCV2 capsids. To evaluated the immunogenicity of these virus-like particles, PCV2-free piglets were vaccinated with the crude lysate from recombinant baculovirus (Ac.ORF2)-infected insect cells, at doses of 0.1 ml (10⁶ cells), 0.5 ml (5 × 10⁶ cells) or 1.0 ml (10⁷ cells). The immune response was monitored by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PCV2 antibody and lymphocyte proliferation assay. The ELISA results indicated that primary immune response was elicited with 0.5 ml or 1.0 ml of crude lysate from Ac.ORF2. After boost immunization, relatively higher levels of PCV2 antibody were elicited in 0.5-ml or 1.0-ml vaccinated groups, compared to the 0.1-ml group. In addition, higher PCV2 specific lymphocyte proliferation response was developed in piglets vaccinated with 0.5 ml or 1.0 ml of crude lysate, especially in those vaccinated with with 1.0 ml of crude lysate. Thus, the expressed ORF2 protein has significant potential as a subunit vaccine against PCV2 infection.     

Identification and functional analysis of the novel ORF6 protein of porcine circovirus type 2 <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

In the present study, the function of a novel ORF6 gene in the PCV2 genome was determined and functionally analyzed in vitro. ORF6 expression was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence in PCV2-infected cells. The antibody against ORF6 was detected in PCV2-infected pigs. The start codon of ORF6 was mutated and an infectious clone was used to create an ORF6-deficient mutant virus. Viral DNA replication curves and immunofluorescence analysis indicated that ORF6 is unnecessary for viral replication and ORF6 deletion reduces viral DNA replication in PK-15 cells. The activities of caspases 3 and 8 in ORF6-deficient virus-infected cells were significantly different from those in wild-type virus-infected cells. The ORF6 protein can increase the expression of IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-1b, IL-10, and IL-12p40. These results demonstrated that the newly discovered ORF6 protein may be involved in caspases regulation and the expression of multiple cytokines in PCV2-infected cells. The functions of this gene in viral pathogenesis remain to be further elucidated.     

ORF1 but not ORF2 dependent differences are important for in vitro replication of PCV2 in porcine alveolar macrophages singularly or coinfected with PRRSV

The objective of this study was to investigate cytokine expression and in vitro replication of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) emphasizing PCV2 open-reading frame (ORF) origin (PCV2a or PCV2b) and PRRSV strain. Chimeric PCV2 viruses composed of different combinations of ORF1 and ORF2 of PCV2a or PCV2b (chimera PCV2a-2b and chimera PCV2b-2a) were constructed and five different PRRSV isolates were utilized: Type 1 (SD 01-08) or type 2 (NC16845b, VR-2332, MN-184, JA-142). PAMs were infected singularly or with combinations of PCV2b, PCV2a, chimera PCV2a-2b, and chimera PCV2b-2a, and one of the five PRRSV isolates. Real-time PCR was used to test PAMs (PCV2 mRNA) and supernatants (PRRSV RNA, PCV2 DNA, PCV2 mRNA) harvested at 24, 48, 72 and 96h post inoculation (hpi). Levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 were determined by quantitative ELISAs. PCV2 replication in PAMs was limited to groups inoculated with PCV2 strains containing ORF1 of PCV2a (PCV2a, chimera PCV2a-2b). Furthermore, in supernatants, PCV2 mRNA was only detected in groups coinfected with PRRSV regardless of strain at 48hpi supporting an enhancing effect of PRRSV on PCV2 infection. Changes in cytokine levels were minimal and associated with PRRSV strain for TNF-α. In summary, in vitro differences in PCV2 replication in PAMs inoculated with different PCV2-PRRSV combinations were independent of PCV2 ORF2 origin with minimal effects of concurrent PRRSV infection perhaps indicating that PCV2-specific changes in ORF1 may be more important than those in ORF2.     

The comparative profile of lymphoid cells and the T and B cell spectratype of germ-free piglets infected with viruses SIV,PRRSV or PCV2

Lymphocyte subsets isolated from germ-free piglets experimentally infected with swine influenza virus (SIV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) or porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were studied and the profile of these subsets among these three infections was monitored. Germ-free piglets were used since their response could be directly correlated to the viral infection. Because SIV infections are resolved even by colostrum-deprived neonates whereas PRRSV and PCV2 infections are not, SIV was used as a benchmark for an effectively resolved viral infection. PRRSV caused a large increase in the proportion of lymphocytes at the site of infection and rapid differentiation of B cells leading to a high level of Ig-producing cells but a severe reduction in CD2^—CD21⁺ primed B cells. Unlike SIV and PCV2, PRRSV also caused an increase in terminally differentiated subset of CD2⁺CD8α⁺ γδ cells and polyclonal expansion of major Vβ families suggesting that non-specific helper T cells drive swift B cell activation. Distinct from infections with SIV and PRRSV, PCV2 infection led to the: (a) prevalence of MHC-II⁺ T cytotoxic cells, (b) restriction of the T helper compartment in the respiratory tract, (c) generation of a high proportion of FoxP3⁺ T cells in the blood and (d) selective expansion of IgA and IgE suggesting this virus elicits a mucosal immune response. Our findings suggest that PRRSV and PCV2 may negatively modulate the host immune system by different mechanisms which may explain their persistence.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-014-0091-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of probes to differentiate porcine circovirus types 1 and 2 in vitro by in situ hybridization

Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), a PK-15 cell line contaminant, and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), associated with post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), are genetically and antigenically related. Several techniques have been developed to detect PCV, including in situ hybridization (ISH). Previously reported probes used for ISH may hybridize with both PCV1 and PCV2 nucleic acids. We attempted to produce probes for ISH that can detect and differentiate PCV2 from PCV1 in PCV-infected cells. Riboprobes were synthesized from the sense and antisense strands of both open reading frames 1 and 2 (ORF1 and ORF2) of PCV2. At 42 and 58 degrees C, the ORF1 antisense probe hybridized with nucleic acid from both PCV1- and PCV2-infected cells. At 58 degrees C, the ORF2 antisense probe hybridized with PCV2 nucleic acid but not with PCV1 nucleic acid. The ORF1 and ORF2 sense probes bound only with PCV2 nucleic acid. Both antisense strand probes produced stronger signals than the sense strand probes. The results showed that the PCV2 ORF1 antisense probe is the most likely probe to detect both PCV types while the ORF2 antisense probe is capable of discriminating between PCV1 and PCV2.     

表达PRRSV ORF5和PCV2 ORF2基因的重组鸡痘病毒的构建及鉴定

分别将猪圆环病毒2型的ORF2基因和猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒的ORF5基因,插入到鸡痘病毒转移载体pUTA2-16-LacZ单一启动子和复合启动子下游,构建重组鸡痘病毒转移质粒pUTAL-ORF5-ORF2。将该重组质粒与鸡痘病毒282-E4株共转染鸡胚成纤维细胞,进行同源重组。通过3次溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(BrdU)加压筛选,经RT-PCR、IFA和Western blot鉴定,表明重组鸡痘病毒中的目的基因在鸡胚成纤维细胞中得到表达,获得一株携带有目的基因ORF2和ORF5的重组鸡痘病毒rFPV-ORF2-ORF5。     

An ORF2 protein-based ELISA for porcine circovirus type 2 antibodies in post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in swine. As PCV2 displays significant homology with PCV1 (a non-pathogenic virus) at the nucleotide and amino-acid level, a discriminative antigen is needed for specific serological diagnosis. The ORF2-encoded capsid protein from PCV2 was used to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). GST-fused capsid protein from PCV2 and GST alone (both expressed in recombinant baculovirus-infected cells) were used as antigens for serodiagnosis. The specificity of the ELISA for detection of PCV2 antibodies was demonstrated in sera from pigs experimentally infected with PCV1, PCV2 and other swine viruses. The semi-quantitative nature of the test was evaluated versus an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). The ELISA was performed on 322 sera from pigs in eight Brittany herds and compared with IPMA. The sensitivity (98.2%) and specificity (94.5%) of this test were considered suitable for individual serological detection. High PCV2 seroprevalence was found in sows and pigs at the end of the growth phase (18-19 weeks) in all eight herds. The seroprevalence in piglets (11-17 weeks) was statistically correlated with clinical symptoms of PMWS (93% in affected versus 54%, in non-affected farms). A cohort study performed in PMWS-free farms showed that 57% of piglets exhibited active seroconversion after 13 weeks, indicating that PCV2 infection occurred earlier in PMWS-affected piglets.     

Comparative evaluation of PRRS virus infection in vaccinated and naïve pigs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time-course of the immune response to a field Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome virus (PRRSV) strain in PRRS-naïve, untreated pigs, as well as in four groups of age and breed-matched pigs injected with a live attenuated PRRS vaccine, its adjuvant, an inactivated PRRS vaccine and an irrelevant, inactivated Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine, respectively. PRRSV infection was confirmed in all groups by PCR and antibody assays. The antibody response measured by ELISA took place earlier in pigs injected with the live attenuated vaccine, which also developed a much stronger serum-neutralizing antibody response to the vaccine strain. Yet, no clear protection was evidenced in terms of viremia against the field virus strain, which showed 11.1% nucleotide divergence in ORF7 from the vaccine strain. In vitro, the interferon (IFN)-γ response to PRRSV was almost absent on PVD 60 in all groups under study, whereas the prevalence of interleukin (IL)-10 responses to PRRSV was fairly high in PCV2-vaccinated animals, only. Results indicate that distinct patterns of immune response to a field PRRSV strain can be recognized in PRRS-vaccinated and naïve pigs, which probably underlies fundamental differences in the development and differentiation of PRRSV-specific immune effector cells.     

Genotyping of porcine circovirus type 2 from a variety of clinical conditions in China

Genotypes of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in clinical tissue specimens collected from pigs of different region in China between 2001 and 2003 were analyzed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of PCV2 genomic DNA encompassing the complete ORF2. The results showed that nine different genotypes (A-I) were identified and designated CHN-2A, CHN-2B, CHN-2C, CHN-2D, CHN-2E, CHN-2F, CHN-2G, CHN-2H and CHN-2I, respectively. Amongst the genotypes, 0.6% were CHN-2A (1/173), CHN-2B (1/173) and CHN-2C (1/173) RFLP profile; 2.3% were CHN-2F (4/173) and CHN-2G (4/173); 5.8% were CHN-2D (10/173); 8.6% were CHN-2E (15/173); 18.5% were CHN-2I (32/173) and 60.7% were CHN-2H (105/173). Therefore, our results suggest that CHN-2H is the dominant genotype of PCV2 prevailing in China. Sequence analysis revealed that ORF2 genes of different genotypic PCV2 exhibited the variation extent of 90.5-99.5% and 88-100% in nucleotide and amino acid respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences alignment of the capsid protein encoded by ORF2 of PCV2 presented that three major regions with greater heterogeneity existed at residues 57-90, 121-136 and 180-191 among nine genotypic PCV2. It was concluded that there exist variation in ORF2 genes of different genotypic PCV2 prevailing in China.     

The studies on the transfection of EGFP-fused porcine circovirus Type 2 genome

This study described construction and transfection of an EGFP-fused Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) genome and the recovery of the virus. Posttransfection, PCV2 (ORF1)-EGFP/pSK, PCV2 (ORF3)-EGFP/pSK, PCV2 (ORF4)-EGFP/pSK and PCV2(ORF5)-EGFP/pSK showed no fluorescent signals in transfected cells, while green fluorescent signals were observed in the nuclei of PK-15 cells after PCV2 (ORF2)-EGFP/pSK transfection. The presence of ORF2-EGFP fusion protein was demonstrated by dual signals of green fluorescence and anti-PCV2 antibodies conjugated with rhodamine in an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Furthermore, the released EGFP-fused PCV2 genome was demonstrated by real-time PCR.     

Generation and immunogenicity of a recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing cap protein of porcine circovirus type 2

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), which is an important economical disease affecting the pig industry worldwide. In order to develop an effective vaccine for PMWS, a recombinant pseudorabies virus (PRV) was generated and tested in piglets in this study. The PCV2 open reading frame 2 (ORF2) gene was inserted into pIECMV plasmid and co-transfected with PRV Tk-/gE-/LacZ+ genome into IBRS-2 cells to generate a recombinant Tk-/gE-/ORF2(+) virus. The expression of PCV2 ORF2 gene in the recombinant virus was confirmed by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Four-week-old piglets were immunized by the recombinant virus, and the immunogenicity of PRV Tk-/gE-/ORF2(+) was tested by PRV-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), PRV neutralizing assay, ORF2-ELISA and ORF2 specific lymphocyte proliferation response. PRV Tk-/gE-/ORF2(+) elicited significant humoral immune responses to both PRV and PCV2, and the PCV2-specific lymphocyte proliferation response could be detected on day 49 of this experiment. These findings suggest that the recombinant PRV Tk-/gE-/ORF2(+) may be a potential vaccine against both PCV2 and PRV.     

Regulatory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on the oxidative stress and histone acetylation induced by porcine circovirus type 2

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) exists widely in swine populations worldwide, and healthy PCV2 virus carriers have enhanced the severity of the infection, which is becoming more difficult to control. This study investigated the regulatory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the oxidative stress and histone acetylation modification induced by PCV2 in vitro and in mice. In vitro, PNS significantly increased the scavenging capacities of superoxide anion radicals (O₂^•-) and hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and reduced the content of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induced by PCV2 in porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/2). In addition, PNS decreased the protein expression level of histone H4 acetylation (Ac-H4) by increasing the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) in PCV2-infected 3D4/2 cells. In vivo, PNS enhanced the scavenging capacities of ^•OH and O₂^•− and reduced the content of H₂O₂ in the spleens of PCV2-infected mice. PNS also reduced the protein expression level of histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) by reducing the activity of histone acetylase (HAT) and increasing the activity of HDAC in the spleens of PCV2-infected mice. PCV2 infection activated oxidative stress and histone acetylation in vitro and in mice, but PNS ameliorated this oxidative stress. The research can provide experimental basis for exploring the antioxidant effect and the regulation of histone acetylation of PNS on PCV2-infected 3D4/2 cells and mice in vitro and in vivo, and provide new ideas for the treatment of PCV2 infection.     

Pigs naturally exposed to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) generate antibody responses capable to neutralise PCV2 isolates of different genotypes and geographic origins

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the essential infectious agent for PCV2-systemic disease (PCV2-SD, formerly known as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome) and other pathological conditions. Recent studies indicated antigenic variability amongst different PCV2 isolates and suggested that single amino acid changes within the capsid protein determine differences in the level of neutralization by specific monoclonal antibodies. The objective of the present study was to examine the cross-reactivity of PCV2 antibodies induced in the context of a natural infection against different PCV2 isolates belonging to genotypes PCV2a and PCV2b. Sera taken from several farms from animals of varying health status (PCV2-SD and age-matched healthy pigs and a set of slaughter-aged animals) were assayed for neutralizing activity against four PCV2 isolates from both predominant genotypes (PCV2a and PCV2b) and of differing geographic origins (Europe and North-America). Results showed that most of studied pigs (79 out of 82) contained neutralizing antibodies (NA) able to neutralize all four studied viral strains. Overall, pigs had significantly higher NA titres against PCV2a than against PCV2b (P < 0.001). Accordingly, studied serums were able to better neutralize Burgos390L4 and Stoon-1010 strains (PCV2a) than L-33-Sp-10-54 and MO/S-06 strains (PCV2b) (P < 0.001). No differences between capabilities of seroneutralization of viruses from different geographic origin were observed. Present data suggests that sequence differences between PCV2 isolates translate to functional antigenic differences in viral neutralization in vivo.     

Memory T cell proliferative responses and IFN-γ productivity sustain long-lasting efficacy of a Cap-based PCV2 vaccine upon PCV2 natural infection and associated disease

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination represents an important measure to cope with PCV2 infection; however, data regarding the modulation of the immune cell compartment are still limited, especially under field conditions. This study is aimed at investigating the features of the cellular immune response in conventional piglets induced by vaccination using a capsid (Cap) protein-based PCV2 vaccine compared to unvaccinated animals when exposed to PCV2 natural infection. Immune reactivity was evaluated by quantifying peripheral cell subsets involved in the anti-viral response and characterizing the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreting cell (SC) responsiveness both in vivo and upon in vitro whole PCV2 recall. The vaccination triggered an early and intense IFN-γ secreting cell response and induced the activation of peripheral lymphocytes. The early increase of IFN-γ SC frequencies resulted in a remarkable and transient tendency to increased IFN-γ productivity in vaccinated pigs. In vaccinated animals, soon before the onset of infection occurred 15-16 weeks post-vaccination, the recalled PCV2-specific immune response was characterized by moderate PCV2-specific IFN-γ secreting cell frequencies and augmented productivity together with reactive CD4⁺CD8⁺ memory T cells. Conversely, upon infection, unvaccinated animals showed very high frequencies of IFN-γ secreting cells and a tendency to lower productivity, which paralleled with effector CD4^–CD8⁺ cytotoxic cell responsiveness. The study shows that PCV2 vaccination induces a long-lasting immunity sustained by memory T cells and IFN-γ secreting cells that potentially played a role in preventing the onset of infection; the extent and duration of this reactivity can be an important feature for evaluating the protective immunity induced by vaccination.     

猪圆环病毒Ⅱ型广东分离株全基因组的克隆和序列分析

分离了9株猪圆环病毒Ⅱ型（PCV2）广东地方分离株，并进行了全基因组序列测定；对这9株PCV2广东分离毒株的ORF1和ORF2基因的序列分析表明ORF2的变异程度要比ORF1的变异程度大；对PCV2衣壳蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性比较发现了PCV2毒株间存在1个氨基酸变异程度较大的区域和2个氨基酸变异程度较小的区域，其中前两个区域与两个主要的免疫反应区域相对应；将这9个毒株的全基因组序列与GenBank上收录的18个PCV2毒株的全基因组序列基因进化树分析表明，这9个PCV2广东分离株彼此之间及与国内PCV2分离株、欧洲株之间更接近，而与韩国、中国台湾、日本和美洲毒株之间则稍远，因而在选PCV2疫苗免疫时，建议尽量使用国内生产的疫苗或自制组织灭活疫苗进行免疫。     

House fly vector for porcine circovirus 2b on commercial pig farms

We investigated the on-farm potential of common farm invertebrates to transmit porcine circovirus genotype 2 (PCV2) and other non-enveloped viruses. In 2007 (pre-PCV2 vaccination) and 2008 (post-PCV2 vaccination), invertebrate communities were trap-collected (8 trap-dates per year), counted and sorted into genus and species groups on 5 farm study sites within England. Total DNA was extracted from feces of representational cross-sections of pigs on each farm in each year and also from intact samples of Diptera flies (ca. 20 flies per trap) and dissected viscera of any cockroaches (ca. 5 per trap). Each DNA sample was tested for the presence of PCV2 DNA by separate PCRs for ORF1 and ORF2. Positive samples were sub-typed via DNA sequencing of PCR products. The pig-associated Diptera fly community was dominated by Musca domestica (house fly) in both years on all 5 farms; numerous Blatta orientalis cockroaches were only noted on 1 farm throughout. Specific PCV2b DNA elements were routinely detected (25-60% of samples) in weaner/nursery pig feces in 2007, but not in other age groups. Musca collected on 4 of the 5 farms in 2007 was also positive for PCV2b DNA elements. Comparison of ORF2 sequences indicated that ORF2 sequences indicating PCV2b genotype were identical in pigs and flies. Minor changes were noted in ORF1 sequences from different samples. Flies collected in the weaner/nursery area were most likely to be positive (22-50% of fly-trap samples). DNA extracted from all cockroaches (2007 and 2008) and all flies and pig feces in 2008 were also negative throughout. We suggest that Musca flies have the most likely on-farm potential to carry and transmit PCV2b due to their life cycle incorporating stages in close association with pigs and their habitat. Vaccination appeared to reduce environmental load of PCV2b.     

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.