Abstract
Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) has been associated with several pig diseases. Despite the pathogenicity of this virus has not been completely clarified, reproductive disorders are consistently associated with its infection. The aim of the present work was to analyze the presence of PCV-3 DNA in tissues from pig fetuses from different gestational timepoints. The fetuses were obtained either from farms with no reproductive problems (NRP, n = 249; all of them from the last third of gestation) or from a slaughterhouse (S, n = 51; 49 of the second-third of gestation and 2 from the third one). Tissues collected included brain, heart, lung, kidney, and/or spleen. Overall, the frequency of detection of PCV-3 was significantly higher in fetuses from the last third of the gestation (69/251, 27.5%) when compared to those from the second-third (5/49, 10.2%), although the viral loads were not significantly different. Moreover, the frequency of detection in NRP fetuses (69/249, 27.7%) was significantly higher than in S ones (5/51, 9.8%). Furthermore, PCV-3 DNA was detected in all tissue types analyzed. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a higher frequency of PCV-3 DNA detection in fetuses from late periods of the gestation and highlights wide organ distributions of the virus in pig fetuses.
Highlights
Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are icosahedral, non-enveloped viruses characterized by a circular single-stranded DNA belonging to the Circoviridae family [1]
Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) is currently being investigated as a potential pathogen in different clinical conditions, mainly in relation to cases of reproductive problems and multisystemic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in pre- and post-weaning pigs [5,6]
The present study assessed the frequency of PCV-3 detection in fetuses according to their gestational timing, as well as its tissue distribution
Summary
Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are icosahedral, non-enveloped viruses characterized by a circular single-stranded DNA belonging to the Circoviridae family [1]. PCV-1 was described in 1974 and is regarded as a non-pathogenic virus for swine [2,3]. PCV-2 associated diseases (PCVD) comprise a range of different conditions, including PCV-2-systemic disease, PCV-2reproductive disease, porcine dermatitis, and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) [4]. PCV-3 is currently being investigated as a potential pathogen in different clinical conditions, mainly in relation to cases of reproductive problems and multisystemic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in pre- and post-weaning pigs [5,6]. PCV-4 was identified in 2019 in pigs with clinical conditions, such as PDNS, digestive signs [8], respiratory disorders [9], and neurological problems [10], but little information is available regarding its pathogenicity; its importance in the porcine industry is unknown. The virus has far not been detected in other parts of the world, but Asia [11]
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