Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy
Abstract Background Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are significant pathogens impacting swine health globally. In Italy, both viruses have been reported to circulate significantly in commercial and rural farms as well as in wild boar populations. However, most information to date originates from studies...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04928-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849343305356148736 |
|---|---|
| author | Irene Melegari Shadia Berjaoui Barbara Secondini Valentina Curini Valeria Di Lollo Umberto Molini Alessio Lorusso Giovanni Franzo |
| author_facet | Irene Melegari Shadia Berjaoui Barbara Secondini Valentina Curini Valeria Di Lollo Umberto Molini Alessio Lorusso Giovanni Franzo |
| author_sort | Irene Melegari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are significant pathogens impacting swine health globally. In Italy, both viruses have been reported to circulate significantly in commercial and rural farms as well as in wild boar populations. However, most information to date originates from studies conducted in Northern Italy, where the majority of pig production is concentrated, while limited data are available from Central Italian regions. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding PCV epidemiology in Central Southern Italy, an area characterized, mainly, by small-scale family, traditional pig farming systems. Results Between March 2020 and March 2024, 362 samples were collected and tested using real-time PCR. Positive samples were further characterized by next generation sequencing (NGS) and phylogenetic analysis. The 47.1% ( 95% CI 95% CI: 40.9-53.38%) of the samples were positive for PCV2, with a higher prevalence in wild boars (62.07%; 95% CI 95% CI: 52.19–70.91%) compared to domestic pigs (34.97%; 95% CI: 27.19–43.38%). For PCV3, 38% ( 95% CI: 28.48–48.25%), of the tested animals were positive, with wild boars again showing a higher prevalence (45.16%; 95% CI: 32.48–58.32%).) compared to domestic pigs (26.32%; 95% CI: 13.40–43.10%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant genetic variability and confirmed the dominance of the PCV2d genotype. Comparison with other Italian strains highlighted extensive regional circulation and connections between wild and domestic populations. Sequences of this study frequently clustered with strains from the densely pig-populated areas of Northern Italy, supporting multiple long-range introduction events likely mediated by domestic pig trade. Conclusions The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of PCVs to manage their impact on developing pig farming systems and mitigate potential biosecurity risks associated with interactions between wild and domestic animal populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-33aa215c8eca458cac3b3af7a9798a47 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-33aa215c8eca458cac3b3af7a9798a472025-08-20T03:43:02ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-07-0121111010.1186/s12917-025-04928-0Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of ItalyIrene Melegari0Shadia Berjaoui1Barbara Secondini2Valentina Curini3Valeria Di Lollo4Umberto Molini5Alessio Lorusso6Giovanni Franzo7Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del MoliseDepartment of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of PadovaAbstract Background Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are significant pathogens impacting swine health globally. In Italy, both viruses have been reported to circulate significantly in commercial and rural farms as well as in wild boar populations. However, most information to date originates from studies conducted in Northern Italy, where the majority of pig production is concentrated, while limited data are available from Central Italian regions. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding PCV epidemiology in Central Southern Italy, an area characterized, mainly, by small-scale family, traditional pig farming systems. Results Between March 2020 and March 2024, 362 samples were collected and tested using real-time PCR. Positive samples were further characterized by next generation sequencing (NGS) and phylogenetic analysis. The 47.1% ( 95% CI 95% CI: 40.9-53.38%) of the samples were positive for PCV2, with a higher prevalence in wild boars (62.07%; 95% CI 95% CI: 52.19–70.91%) compared to domestic pigs (34.97%; 95% CI: 27.19–43.38%). For PCV3, 38% ( 95% CI: 28.48–48.25%), of the tested animals were positive, with wild boars again showing a higher prevalence (45.16%; 95% CI: 32.48–58.32%).) compared to domestic pigs (26.32%; 95% CI: 13.40–43.10%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant genetic variability and confirmed the dominance of the PCV2d genotype. Comparison with other Italian strains highlighted extensive regional circulation and connections between wild and domestic populations. Sequences of this study frequently clustered with strains from the densely pig-populated areas of Northern Italy, supporting multiple long-range introduction events likely mediated by domestic pig trade. Conclusions The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of PCVs to manage their impact on developing pig farming systems and mitigate potential biosecurity risks associated with interactions between wild and domestic animal populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04928-0CircovirusPigWild boarLymph nodeItalyNGS |
| spellingShingle | Irene Melegari Shadia Berjaoui Barbara Secondini Valentina Curini Valeria Di Lollo Umberto Molini Alessio Lorusso Giovanni Franzo Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy BMC Veterinary Research Circovirus Pig Wild boar Lymph node Italy NGS |
| title | Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy |
| title_full | Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy |
| title_fullStr | Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy |
| title_short | Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of PCV2 and PCV3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central-southern regions of Italy |
| title_sort | molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of pcv2 and pcv3 circulating in domestic pigs and wild boars in central southern regions of italy |
| topic | Circovirus Pig Wild boar Lymph node Italy NGS |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04928-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT irenemelegari molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT shadiaberjaoui molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT barbarasecondini molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT valentinacurini molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT valeriadilollo molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT umbertomolini molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT alessiolorusso molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly AT giovannifranzo molecularepidemiologyandgeneticcharacterizationofpcv2andpcv3circulatingindomesticpigsandwildboarsincentralsouthernregionsofitaly |