Abstract
Simple SummaryPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is a swine disease associated with post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome, which causes a high economic impact on animal production. Recently, new evidence has suggested the increasing circulation of the PCV-2d genotype. We screened wild boar stools collected from several districts across Portugal during the 2018–2020 hunting seasons, for PCV-2 and genetically characterized detected strains. From a total 76 stool samples of wild boar tested, two sequences were obtained, both of the PCV-2d genotype, showing the presence of this genotype in Portugal for the first time. Monitoring wild PCV-2 reservoirs is important for both veterinary public health and economic reasons.Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is associated with several syndromes affecting swine, also known as porcine-circovirus-associated diseases, of which post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome stands out due to its high economic impact on swine production. Recent data suggest the increasing circulation of the PCV-2d genotype in several countries worldwide. To provide updated data on PCV-2 genotypes currently circulating in swine in Portugal, we screened wild boar stools collected from several districts across Portugal, during the 2018–2020 hunting seasons, for PCV-2 and genetically characterized detected strains. From a total of 76 stool samples of wild boar tested by PCR for the partial PCV-2 ORF2 gene, two sequences were obtained (2/76; 2.6%, 95% confidence interval: 0.032–9.18). Bidirectional sequencing showed that the sequences were 100% identical and both of the PCV-2d genotype, showing for the first time the presence of this genotype in Portugal. Monitoring wild PCV-2 reservoirs is important for both veterinary public health and economic reasons, since PCV-2 infection has a strong economic impact on the swine industry.
Highlights
Porcine circoviruses (PCV) are members of the Circoviridae family and are small (16–18 nm diameter), non-enveloped viruses with a spherical shape and single-strandedDNA genome [1]
From a total of 76 stool samples of wild boar tested by PCR for the partial Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2)
The amplified products obtained from these two wild boar stools were subjected to bidirectional sequencing, showing that the sequences were 100% identical to each other and both of the PCV-2d genotypes, after Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analyses
Summary
Porcine circoviruses (PCV) are members of the Circoviridae family and are small (16–18 nm diameter), non-enveloped viruses with a spherical shape and single-strandedDNA genome [1]. Unlike the previous types, PCV-2 is clearly associated with several syndromes affecting domestic and wild swine, known as porcine-circovirus-associated diseases. Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is of particular relevance due to its economic impact on swine production [4,5], with estimated costs in the European Union between EUR 562 and EUR 900 million per year [6]. In 2008, the economic impact of PCV-2 in England was estimated at GBP 52.6 million per year, demonstrating the substantial economic impact of this virus on domestic swine [7]. Four different PCV-2 genotypes (PCV-2a, PCV2b, PCV-2c, and PCV-2d) have been identified. Recent data point towards the increasing circulation of the latter genotype in many countries, most likely replacing previously circulating strains [8]
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