Epidemiologic assessment of porcine circovirus type 2 coinfection with other pathogens in swine.
OBJECTIVE
To identify important pathogens and characterize their serologic and pathologic effects in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-infected pigs in relation to pig age and type of swine production system.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
583 conventionally reared pigs.


METHODS
3- (n = 157), 9- (149), 16- (152), and 24-week-old (125) pigs from 41 different 1-, 2-, and 3-site production systems (5 pigs/age group/farm) were euthanized and necropsied. Pigs with and without PCV2 infection were identified (via PCR assay); infection with and serologic responses to other pathogens and pathologic changes in various tissues (including lungs) were assessed. Logistic regression models were constructed for effects overall and within each age group and type of production system.


RESULTS
Compared with PCV2-negative pigs, PCV2-positive pigs were more likely to have swine influenza virus (SIV) type A and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections and sample-to-positive (S:P) ratios for SIV H1N1 from 0.50 to 0.99; also, PCV2-positive pigs had higher serum anti-porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibody titers and more severe lung tissue damage. Infection with SIV (but lower SIV H1N1 S:P ratio) was more likely in 3-week-old PCV2-positive pigs and evidence of systemic disease was greater in 16-week-old PCV2-positive pigs than in their PCV2-negative counterparts. By site type, associations of coinfections and disease effects between PCV2-positive and -negative pigs were greatest in 3-site production systems.


CONCLUSIONS
In PCV2-positive pigs, coinfections with SIV, M. hyopneumoniae, and PRRSV are important, having the greatest effect in the early to late nursery phase and in 3-site production systems.
Dorr
Paul M
PM
Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Baker
Rodney B
RB
Almond
Glen W
GW
Wayne
Spencer R
SR
Gebreyes
Wondwossen A
WA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D018173:Circoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017925:Circovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019318:Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019316:Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*