Pathomorphological observations in pigs infected with Porcine Circovirus type-2

Abstract

Porcine circovirus type-2 (PCV-2) represents a significant viral economic disease affecting pigs, particularly linked to the porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). The present study examines PCV-2 in pigs with respiratory infections, utilising PCR-based confirmation. Histopathological alterations in the lungs, tonsils, bronchial lymph nodes, spleen, heart, kidneys and brain tissues were thoroughly analysed. Post-mortem observations in cases infected with PCV-2 included a rough hair coat, erythematous patches on the abdomen and perineum, tan-mottled and non-collapsible lungs with a rubbery texture, mild to moderate congestion in the tonsils, bronchial lymph nodes, spleen and myocardium, slightly congested and swollen kidneys, as well as mild to moderate cerebral congestion. Significant histological findings in the lungs included interstitial and broncho-interstitial pneumonia, lymphocyte depletion in lymphoid organs, the presence of giant cells and syncytia formation. This study indicates a higher prevalence of PCV-2 infection in pigs with notable lesions in both respiratory and lymphoid organs.