Abstract
The genus Pestivirus, which belongs to the family Flaviviridae, includes ssRNA+ viruses responsible for infectious diseases in swine, cattle, sheep, goats, and other domestic and wild animals. Recently, several putative pestiviruses species have been discovered and characterized in mammalian species (giraffe pestivirus, antelope pestivirus, HoBi virus, Bungowannah virus, and Linda virus); one of these is a genetically distinct pestivirus, named atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), discovered using the next-generation sequencing technology. APPV has been detected in piglets with congenital tremor (CT) from four different continents, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. There is strong evidence that experimental inoculation and in field outbreaks involving APPV induce CT in piglets. Additionally, splay leg (SL) syndrome has been observed concurrently with CT, and it was induced by APPV in experimental studies and some field cases. Animals with a persistent and/or chronic infection condition can shed the virus over time. Viral-RNA is frequently detected in different tissues from CT-piglets; however, high loads of APPV are detected most consistently in central nervous tissue. Moreover, the APPV genome has been recently detected in semen and preputial swabs from boar studs, as well as in serum and tissue samples from wild boars and domestic adult pigs, all known to be clinically healthy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the APPV sequence (complete or partial polyprotein) exhibits high genetic diversity between viral strains detected in different countries and formed independent clusters according to geographic location. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the molecular detection and sero-prevalence of APPV around the world. Lastly, more research is needed to understand clinical presentations associated with APPV infection, as well as the economic losses related to the virus in pig production worldwide.
Highlights
Piglet pre-weaning mortality is a major problem in pig farms around the world
Different etiologies may be involved in piglet pre-weaning mortality including atypical porcine pestivirus-associated congenital tremor (CT) (2–4)
It was characterized as tremors of intent that ceases when piglets are at rest (6)
Summary
Piglet pre-weaning mortality is a major problem in pig farms around the world. On average, preweaning mortality rates of live-born piglets can be as high as 23% and starvation and crushing are the main causes of death (1). Different etiologies may be involved in piglet pre-weaning mortality including atypical porcine pestivirus-associated congenital tremor (CT) (2–4)
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