Pig Expert Warns About Disease Effects
Dr Kenneth McCullough, head of research at Switzerland's Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis, has updated the Pig Veterinary Society's autumn meeting about the present status of PCV2.
Dr McCullough explained how the virus affects the porcine immune system and provided an insight into its interaction with the dendritic cells. These cells are critical to the immune system because they trigger danger recognition and therefore help to provide the pig with immunity to disease. While the double-stranded DNA in PCV2 reduced the levels of danger recognition in the cells, the single-stranded DNA in the virus actually helped to induce this recognition.
Dr McCullough endorsed the early protection of pigs through vaccination and emphasised the important role of herd management and nutrition. Thais Vila, technical director, EMEA for swine products at Merial Animal Health, discussed at the same meeting how the disease manifests itself, and how herd management and vaccination can help combat it.
She said: "In recent years the symptoms of PCV2 have become less obvious, and may even be sub-clinical. Nowadays, the symptoms may occur later in the pig's life. The clinical signs can be similar to other viral infections and may depend on co-infections. Symptoms include digestive and respiratory disorders."
"In sows PCV2 affects reproduction including return to oestrus, increased abortions and stillbirths, and pre-weaning mortality."
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
