Identification of viral pathogens in aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets from cases of swine reproductive failure in Spain

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.05.007

The Veterinary Journal

Volume 169, Issue 3, May 2005, Pages 454-456

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.05.007 Get rights and content

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of recognised abortifacient viruses such as porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV), Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), in tissues from aborted fetuses and stillborn neonates in cases of late reproductive failure in swine. A total of 293 specimens (fetuses aborted in the last third of gestation and stillborn piglets) from 100 different cases of late-term abortions and premature farrowing from 15 different Spanish provinces were studied. PRRSV was detected in 9/100 cases by RT-PCR. Only 1/100 cases analysed (corresponding to a late-term aborted fetus with a negative PRRSV RT-PCR result) was positive for PCV2 by PCR. Neither ADV (monitored by viral isolation plus antigen detection) nor PPV (monitored by ELISA antigen capture test) infection was identified. The results suggest that PRRSV is one of the most important infectious agents, if not the most relevant one, associated with fetal infection leading to abortion or premature farrowing in Spain. Moreover, other viral pathogens such as ADV, PPV and PCV2 seem to have a minor impact on reproductive disease.

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Acknowledgement

This work was partly funded by Projects QLRT-PL-199900307 from the European Commission and the 2-FEDER-1997-1341 from the R&D National Plan (Spain). The authors are grateful to E. Huerta, M. Mora and M. Perez from CReSA for the excellent technical assistance.

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Short communicationIdentification of viral pathogens in aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets from cases of swine reproductive failure in Spain

Abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgement

Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Animal Practice

Journal of Comparative Pathology

Veterinary Microbiology

Diagnosis of swine abortion

Swine Health and Production

Gross and microscopic lesions in porcine fetuses infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation

Multiple porcine circovirus 2-associated abortions and reproductive failure in a multisite swine production unit

Canadian Veterinary Journal

Experimental inoculation of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) in rabbits and mice

Veterinary Research

Short communication
Identification of viral pathogens in aborted fetuses and stillborn piglets from cases of swine reproductive failure in Spain