Coinfection with Haemophilus parasuis serovar 4 increases the virulence of porcine circovirus type 2 in piglets.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is an emerging disease in swine. Pigs with PMWS are often infected with a variety of other pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and mycoplasm, in addition to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). PCV2 and Haemophilus parasuis serovar 4 (HPS4) coinfection remain epidemic in China.

METHODS:

Here we report construction of a three-week-old naturally farrowed, colostrum-deprived (NFCD) piglet's infection model and demonstrate that PCV2-infected piglets with the HPS4 coinfection increased the virulence of PCV2 and these pathogens interact acquired PMWS.

RESULTS:

All the single infected piglets were transiently bacteremic or viremic. All the PCV2/HPS4 coinfected piglets developed PMWS, characterized by dyspnea, anorexia, prostration and lose weight severely. Co-infection with PCV2 and HPS4 resulted in an increased amount of virus in serum and tissues, presented a slower generation and lower levels of antibodies against PCV2. Co-infection with PCV2 and HPS4 resulted in further reductions in total and differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts. Meantime, PCV2/ HPS4 coinfection potentiated the severity of lung and lymphoid lesions by PCV2-associated, increased the virulence of PCV2-antigen and enhanced the incidence of PMWS in piglets.

CONCLUSION:

Co-infection with PCV2 and HPS4 induce the exacerbation of system injuries and enhance the pathogenicity of PCV2 in piglets.

• Authors: Shuqing Liu, Wentao Li, Yang Wang, Changqin Gu, Xiaoli Liu, Catherine Charreyre, Shenxian Fan, Qigai He
• Journal: Virology journal (Virol J) Vol. 14 Issue 1 Pg. 227 (11 21 2017) ISSN: 1743-422X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29157279 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• DNA, Viral

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• China
• Circovirus (pathogenicity)
• Coinfection (microbiology, pathology, veterinary, virology)
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Haemophilus Infections (pathology, veterinary, virology)
• Haemophilus parasuis (physiology)
• Leukocyte Count (veterinary)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (veterinary)
• Porcine Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (microbiology, pathology, virology)
• Swine
• Virulence (physiology)