Genetic Characterization of Porcine Circovirus 3 Strains Circulating in Sardinian Pigs and Wild Boars

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) is a recently discovered member of the Circoviridae family. So far, its presence has been reported in North America, Asia, South America, and Europe. In this study, blood and tissue samples from 189 Sardinian suids (34 domestic pigs, 115 feral free ranging pigs, and 39 wild boars) were used to genetically characterize the PCV3 strains from Sardinia. PCV3 infection in the animals was confirmed by real time PCR. The detection rate in the three groups analyzed was l7.64% in domestic pigs, 77.39% in free ranging pigs, and 61.54% in wild boars. Moreover, our results showed that co-infection of PCV3 with other viruses is quite a common occurrence. Molecular characterization of Sardinian PCV3 strains was performed by sequencing 6 complete genomes and 12 complete cap genes. Our results revealed that there is a high similarity between our strains and those identified in different countries, confirming the genetic stability of PCV3 regardless of geographical origin. Haplotype network analysis revealed the presence of 6 whole genomes or 12 unique ORF2 haplotypes and a nonsynonymous mutation in ORF2 that leads to an R14K amino acid substitution. Phylogenetic analysis of whole genome and ORF2 was also conducted. The Sardinian strains were allocated in three different clusters of phylogenetic trees of both complete genome and ORF2. With this study, we have provided a snapshot of PCV3 circulation in Sardinia. Our findings might help to achieve a deeper understanding of this emerging porcine virus.

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Free to Circulate: An Update on the Epidemiological Dynamics of Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV-2) in Italy Reveals the Role of Local Spreading, Wild Populations, and Foreign Countries

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9030221 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 221 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Giovanni Franzo ◽

Susanna Tinello ◽

Laura Grassi ◽

Claudia Maria Tucciarone ◽

Matteo Legnardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Haplotype Network ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Wild Populations ◽

Swine Industry ◽

Wild Boars ◽

Domestic Pigs ◽

Detection Frequency ◽

Foreign Countries ◽

Porcine Circovirus 2 ◽

Spread Dynamics

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) is one of the most impactful and widespread pathogens of the modern swine industry. Unlike other DNA viruses, PCV-2 is featured by a remarkable genetic variability, which has led to the emergence and recognition of different genotypes, some of which (PCV-2a, 2b, and 2d) have alternated over time. Currently, PCV-2d is considered the most prevalent genotype, and some evidence of differential virulence and vaccine efficacy have been reported. Despite the potential practical relevance, the data on PCV-2 epidemiology in Italy are quite outdated and do not quantify the actual circulation of this genotype in Italy. In the present study, 82 complete ORF2 sequences were obtained from domestic pigs and wild boars sampled in Northern Italy in the period 2013–2018 and merged with those previously obtained from Italy and other countries. A combination of phylogenetic, haplotype network, and phylodynamic analyses were used to genotype the collected strains and evaluate the temporal trend and the spatial and host spread dynamics. A rising number of PCV-2d detections was observed in domestic pigs, particularly since 2013, reaching a detection frequency comparable to PCV-2b. A similar picture was observed in wild boars, although a lower sequence number was available. Overall, the present study demonstrates the extreme complexity of PCV-2 molecular epidemiology in Italy, the significant spread across different regions, the recurrent introduction from foreign countries, and the frequent occurrence of recombination events. Although a higher viral flux occurred from domestic to wild populations than vice versa, wild boars seem to maintain PCV-2 infection and spread it over relatively long distances.

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Detection of Porcine Circovirus 3 in Wildlife Species in Spain

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9050341 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 341 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ewelina Czyżewska-Dors ◽

José I. Núñez ◽

Viviane Saporiti ◽

Eva Huerta ◽

Carme Riutord ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

European Rabbit ◽

Wild Boars ◽

Porcine Circovirus 3 ◽

Free Ranging

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV-3) is the third member of the family Circoviridae, genus Circovirus, able to infect swine. A high prevalence of viral DNA has been recorded in wild boars. Recently, PCV-3 DNA was identified in Italian wild ruminants. Based on these previous results, this study assessed the frequency of PCV-3 DNA detection in free-ranging ruminants and Lagomorpha species in Spain. In addition, the genetic characterization of the PCV-3 PCR-positive samples was performed. A total of 801 serum samples, including red deer (Cervus elaphus, [CE]; n = 108), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, [CC]; n = 87), Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica, [RP]; n = 133), Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica, [CP]; n = 92), mouflon (Ovis aries, [OA]; n = 91), fallow deer (Dama dama, [DD]; n = 104), European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, [OC]; n = 101), and European hare (Lepus europaeus, [LE]; n = 85) from Catalonia (northeast Spain) were tested by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and, when positive, sequenced. Overall, PCV-3 DNA was found in three out of 801 analyzed sera (0.37%) corresponding to one red deer (1/108, 0.9%), one mouflon (1/91, 1.1%), and one fallow deer (1/104, 0.96%). None of the samples collected from Lagomorpha species resulted PCR positive. The partial genome sequences detected in positive samples displayed high identity with some PCV-3 sequences detected in wild boars and domestic pigs (99.7% and 100%, respectively). In conclusion, the present study indicated that free-ranging ruminant and Lagomorpha species are not relevant in the epidemiology of PCV-3 in Spain.

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Complete genome characterization of porcine circovirus 3 recovered from wild boars in Southern Brazil

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases ◽

10.1111/tbed.13679 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Paula Muterle Varela ◽

Márcia Regina Loiko ◽

Juliana da Silva Andrade ◽

Caroline Tochetto ◽

Samuel Paulo Cibulski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Complete Genome ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Genome Characterization ◽

Wild Boars ◽

Porcine Circovirus 3

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Molecular Characterization of Novel Porcine Circovirus 3 (PCV3) in Pig Populations in the North of Vietnam

10.36959/998/783 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nguyen Van Giap ◽

Chung Hee Chun ◽

Huynh Thi My Le ◽

Cao Thi Bich Phuong ◽

Vu Thi Ngoc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

The North ◽

Porcine Circovirus 3

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Detection and genetic characterization of porcine circovirus 3 from aborted fetuses and pigs with respiratory disease in Korea

Journal of Veterinary Science ◽

10.4142/jvs.2018.19.5.721 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 721 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Seong-Hee Kim ◽

Ji-Young Park ◽

Ji-Youl Jung ◽

Ha-Young Kim ◽

Yu-Ri Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Disease ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Porcine Circovirus 3

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Evolution and Genetic Diversity of Porcine Circovirus 3 in China

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11090786 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 786 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ye Chen ◽

Quanming Xu ◽

Hong Chen ◽

Xian Luo ◽

Qi Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Eastern China ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Recent Common Ancestor ◽

Fujian Province ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Genetic Characteristics ◽

Most Recent Common Ancestor ◽

Porcine Circovirus 3 ◽

High Degree

The identification of a new circovirus (Porcine Circovirus 3, PCV3) has raised concern because its impact on swine health is not fully known. In Fujian Province in eastern China, even its circulating status and genetic characteristics are unclear. Here, we tested 127 tissue samples from swine from Fujian Province that presented respiratory symptoms. All of the PCV3 positive samples were negative for many other pathogens involved in respiratory diseases like PCV2, PRRSV, and CSFV, suggesting that PCV3 is potentially pathogenic. From phylogenetic analysis, PCV3 strains are divided into two main clades and five sub-clades; PCV3a-1, PCV3a-2, PCV3a-3, PCV3b-1, and PCV3b-2. Our identified strains belong to genotypes PCV3a-1, PCV3a-2, PCV3a-3, and PCV3b-2, indicating a high degree of genetic diversity of PCV3 in Fujian province until 2019. Interestingly, we found the time of the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of PCV3 was dated to the 1950s, and PCV3 has a similar evolutionary rate as PCV2 (the main epidemic genotypes PCV2b and PCV2d). In addition, positive selection sites N56D/S and S77T/N on the capsid gene are located on the PCV3 antigen epitope, indicating that PCV3 is gradually adaptive in swine. In summary, our results provide important insights into the epidemiology of PCV3.

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