MOLECULAR PREVALENCE OF PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS 2 INFECTION: FOREMOST REPORT IN SOUTHERN STATES OF INDIA

Abstract

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is the emerging viral pathogen in the swine associated with multi-systemic clinical and subclinical outcomes. This study aimed to detect the molecular and serological prevalence of PCV2 infection in the southern states of India. A total of 434 random samples comprising serum (n=273), pooled postmortem tissues (n=109) and rectal, vaginal, and nasal swabs (n=52) and were collected from PCV2 suspected and healthy swine populations of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry states in India from 2019 to 2021 were screened for PCV2 by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Of 434 samples screened, 12.2% (n=53) showed positivity to PCV2 genome. Statistical analysis of the molecular prevalence of PCV2 within breed, age, sex, and vaccination status revealed no significant (p>0.05) difference but there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the prevalence of PCV2 among healthy and suspected swine populations. Suspected pigs had a significantly higher prevalence of PCV2 in comparison to healthy. ELISA-based PCV2 antibody screening in 176 non-vaccinated serum samples revealed a seropositivity of 44.8% (n=79). The molecular and seroprevalence of PCV2 is alarming in southern states of India, which necessitates the need for genotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis and development of candidate vaccine for implementation of suitable prevention and control measures.

Keywords

• pcv2
• molecular prevalence
• sero-surveillance
• influencing factors
• southern india