Immunisation against PCV2 structural protein by DNA vaccination of mice.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of an emerging swine disease, postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). The disease affects primarily 5-12-weeks-old pigs which might suggest that infection with PCV2 occurs when the level of maternal antibodies have declined to sub-protective levels around weaning at 3-5-weeks of age. If immunoprophylaxis is to be effective, an immunisation method capable of breaking through maternal immunity must be employed.

Interlaboratory testing of porcine sera for antibodies to porcine circovirus type 2.

A panel of 20 porcine sera was distributed to 5 laboratories across Europe and Canada. Each center was requested to test the sera for the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 antibodies using the routine assays, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and indirect immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA), and to determine the titer of each serum. Results from all centers were then compiled and correlated.

Viremia and effect of fetal infection with porcine viruses with special reference to porcine circovirus 2 infection.

This publication reviews some pathogenetic features of the transplacental infection with porcine viruses in sows. Viremia either with virus freely circulating or associated to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is an essential part of such pathogenesis. Virus replication occurs either in fetal tissues only or both in fetal and maternal tissues and the outcome may be different.