Discovery of a Novel Porcine Pestivirus in Pigs
Researchersat Kansas State University have identified a novel porcine pestivirus in pig samplesoriginating from five states. Molecular and serological resultssuggest that this virus, provisionally named atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV)is a novel, highly divergent porcine pestivirus widely distributed in U.S.pigs, which may be involved in co-infection with PRRSV.Metagenomic sequencing of PRRSV-positivesera samples identified samples with sequences mapping to the APPV genome. Molecular screening of a collection ofPRRSV-negative swine samples failed to identify APPV. Furtherwork is needed to investigate the role of APPV in clinical disease, but recentresearch has shown that APPV likely causes congenital tremors in pigs.There are four species in the genusPestivirus. Bovine viral diarrhea virus type one (BVDV-1), Bovine viraldiarrhea virus type two (BVDV-s), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), andborder disease virus (BDV), are some of the most significant pathogensaffecting ruminants & swine and lead to high morbidity and mortality rates.Such viruses are responsible for significant economical disease in ruminantsand swine. Though nothing is known on the ability for the discovery of bat andrat pestiviruses to cause disease, they do suggest a wider pestivirus hostrange.The virus and associated information fromthis research at K-State may eventually be useful in the development of diagnosticassays to detect porcine pestivirus, and vaccines to prevent porcine pestivirusinfection.Advantages:APPV has recently been identified in pigsexhibiting tremors which led to immobility and nearly 100% mortality. Researchhas shown that APPV causes congenital tremors in neonatal pigs when they areinoculated in utero. As APPV is newly described and a widely distributed swinepathogen, diagnostic tests and vaccines would be desirable. There are currently no vaccines or diagnosticson the market for porcine pestivirus.Applications: Diagnostic assays to detect porcine pestivirus Vaccines to prevent porcine pestivirus infectionPatent Status: US Patent Application #15/569,641 filed on October 26, 2017.
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