Porcine Circovirus Disease (PCVD) in Pigs

Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV type 2) is associated with a group of production limiting disease complexes in pigs. Diseases include Post-weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) but also other diseases such as Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome (PDNS) and reproductive disorders.  These diseases are now known as PCVAD Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases or PCVD Porcine Circovirus Diseases.

PCVD was first identified in 1991, in Canada. The syndrome was first described in Europe in 1995, in France.  It is now recognized as a global, epizootic disease that causes significant economic losses to pig producers. PCV-2 is present all over the world and most pigs have seroconverted against PCV-2, indicating they have been exposed to the virus.

Disease occurs in a percentage of the infected animals only and the exact reason for this limited disease expression is still unknown. The same is true for the severity of the disease which varies between countries or regions. Environmental conditions and the presence of other pathogens or diseases may contribute to disease expression.

A piglet affected by PCVD