A Serological Investigation of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Three Coronaviruses in the Campania Region, Southern Italy

Abstract

Porcine coronaviruses and reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are responsible for severe outbreaks that cause huge economic losses worldwide. In Italy, three coronaviruses have been reported historically: porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV). Although repeated outbreaks have been described, especially in northern Italy, where intensive pig farming is common, there is a worrying lack of information on the spread of these pathogens in Europe. In this work, we determined the seroprevalence of three porcine coronaviruses and PRRSV in the Campania region, southern Italy. A total of 443 samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against porcine coronaviruses and PRRSV using four different commercial ELISAs. Our results indicated that PEDV is the most prevalent among porcine coronaviruses, followed by TGEV, and finally PRCV. PRRSV appeared to be the most prevalent virus (16.7%). For coronaviruses, seroprevalence was higher in pigs raised in intensive farming systems. In terms of distribution, TGEV is more widespread in the province of Avellino, while PEDV and PRRSV are more prevalent in the province of Naples, emphasizing the epidemic nature of both infections. Interestingly, TGEV-positive animals are more common among growers, while seropositivity for PEDV and PRRSV was higher in adults. Our research provides new insights into the spread of swine coronaviruses and PRRSV in southern Italy, as well as a warning about the need for viral surveillance.

Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus (PRCV): Isolation and Characterization of a Variant PRCV from USA Pigs

“…The same investigators also tested 443 commercial pig serum samples from the Campania region, southern Italy, for PRCV and TGEV antibodies. Overall, the TGEV seroprevalence was higher in pigs raised in intensive farming systems, and TGEV appeared to be more widespread in the province of Avellino [ 50 ]. Investigations on the circulation of TGEV and PRCV in Argentina were conducted during 2014–2017 [ 51 ].…”

RSL3 Inhibits Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Replication by Activating Ferroptosis

“…Recent epidemiological studies in southern Italy reveal variability in PEDV epidemiology and transmission risks between different animal populations [ 6 , 7 ]. In domestically raised pigs in intensive farming systems, PEDV seroprevalence was much higher than in wild boars in the same region, reaching 14.8%, and showed an increasing trend in adult pigs [ 7 , 8 ]. This poses challenges for research on how to control the spread of this infectious disease.…”

Seroepidemiology Study of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in Mexico by Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on a Recombinant Fragment of N-Terminus Domain Spike Protein

“…PEDV infections can occur in pigs of all ages and are the most serious in piglets, with morbidity and mortality rates often reaching 100% and was first reported in Belgium in 1978 [ 1 , 2 ]. In Europe, the virus spread until the end of the 1990s [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] and is currently spreading throughout Southern Italy [ 6 ]. PEDV was found for the first time in the USA in 2013, and the causative agent had a high identity (99%) with Chinese strains isolated in 2012 [ 7 , 8 ] and PEDV has been considered endemic in USA ever since [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”