• Expertise article
• Wetzel et al., 2013

The risk of area-spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) continues to be high in swine-dense regions potentially because of PRRSV shedding from large populations of growing pigs.

• 8:44
• Expertise video

Porcine Parvo Virus (PPV), a single-stranded-DNA virus, has been known for over 50 years and is probably the most important cause of reproductive failure worldwide1. For years PPV is controlled by vaccination in order to prevent the classical clinical signs of still born piglets and mummies that vary in size and stage of mummification. Apart from this, PPV infections also potentially cause return to estrus and birth of too small litter sizes1. Within PPV there is evolution2 and over time in Europe PPV strains are shifting from cluster A to cluster D3. Recently evidence for the presence of a cluster D strain in the Netherlands was found. This is a summary of the case and consequent findings.

• Podcast in Episodes
• Quim Segalés

“Our recent work demonstrated the presence of the PCV-3 genome within mild-to moderate histological lesions of aborted fetuses. This supports that PCV-3 should be considered as a potential causative pathogen for reproductive failure"

• 20 minutes
• Expertise article
• FA Zuckermann

We propose that the strong humoral immunity bias of the host response to PRRSV is mostly responsible for the difficulties in the development of a vaccine deemed effective in the field.