Porcine abortions: Overview of PRRSV, PCV2, PPV and other causes

Abstract

Reproductive failure in pregnant sows continues to present challenges for practitioners and diagnosticians. The diagnostic success rate on abortion cases is lower in comparison to many other disease syndromes and is estimated to be around 30-40% for pigs. Increased numbers of abortions in breeding facilities can often be linked to viral pathogens with the economically most important virus to date being porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Besides PRRSV, other viruses such as porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV), swine influenza virus (SIV) and others continue to contribute to abortion outbreaks. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) and Hog Cholera Virus (Classical Swine Fever) may also play a significant role in reproductive disease in countries where these diseases have not yet been eradicated. Identification of a cause depends largely on correct sample collection strategies and use of appropriate diagnostic tests and accurate interpretation of test results.