title: Imbalance of intestinal immune function in piglets infected by porcine circovirus type 2 during the fetal period.
abstract: Porcine circovirus type 2- (PCV2-) associated reproductive disorders and enteritis have commonly been observed on PCV2-contaminated pig farms in recent years. In order to investigate disorders of intestinal immunity in piglets infected by PCV2 during the fetal period, 9 PCV2b-infected piglets and 6 non-infected piglets at one day of age were selected and euthanised prior to suckling. Samples of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and duodena were collected to investigate factors related to intestinal immunity and to detect lymphocytic apoptosis. The results indicated that there were no significant changes in the levels of IL-2, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the PCV2b-infected piglets but IFN-γ levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01) and IL-4 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in infected piglets than in the controls. Furthermore, lymphocytic apoptosis increased in PCV2b-infected piglets and CD4+ to CD8+ ratios were lower in these piglets than in the controls. These findings suggest vertical transmission of PCV2b to fetuses, leading to an imbalance of intestinal immune function in piglets.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jin Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University , Changsha, Hunan 410128 , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zhi Bang
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D018173:Circoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017925:Circovirus; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Porcine circovirus type 2; intestinal immune imbalance; newborn piglets