2015-012 – Discovery of a Novel Porcine Pestivirus in Pigs

Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a novel porcine pestivirus in pig samples originating from five states. Molecular and serological results suggest 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-positive sera samples identified samples with sequences mapping to the APPV genome. Molecular screening of a collection of PRRSV-negative swine samples failed to identify APPV. Further work is needed to investigate the role of APPV in clinical disease, but recent research has shown that APPV likely causes congenital tremors in pigs. There are four species in the genus Pestivirus. Bovine viral diarrhea virus type one (BVDV-1), Bovine viral diarrhea virus type two (BVDV-s), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and border disease virus (BDV), are some of the most significant pathogens affecting ruminants & swine and lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. Such viruses are responsible for significant economical disease in ruminants and swine. Though nothing is known on the ability for the discovery of bat and rat pestiviruses to cause disease, they do suggest a wider pestivirus host range. The virus and associated information from this research at K-State may eventually be useful in the development of diagnostic assays to detect porcine pestivirus, and vaccines to prevent porcine pestivirus infection. Bret Ford bretford@ksu.edu 785-532-3924