Dynamics of porcine circovirus type 2 infection and neutralizing antibodies in subclinically infected gilts, and the effect on their litters ¤/Dinámica de la infección por el circovirus porcino tipo 2 y títulos de anticuerpos neutralizantes en las cerdas de reemplazo subclinicamente infectadas, y el efecto en sus camadas/Dinâmica da infeção pelo circovirus porcino tipo 2 e títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes em porcas nulíparas subclínicamente infectadas e efeito em sua leitegada

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with reproductive disease in newly populated herds and in replacement breeding stock from new sources and is almost exclusively reported in gilts. The main purpose of this study was to assess the dynamics of porcine circovirus type 2 infection and neutralizing antibodies in subclinically infected gilts and the effect on their piglets. The study was conducted with 40 gilts selected at random from four breeding herds. Blood samples, nasal and vaginal swabs were obtained from the gilts at arrival, acclimatization, farrowing, and one day after farrowing. Colostrum samples were collected immediately after parturition and one day after farrowing. Blood, nasal swab, or tissue samples were collected from four piglets prior to suckling. High levels of viremia and viral load of PCV2 in nasal and vaginal swabs were found in healthy gilts at arriving, confirming the introduction of infected animals into the farms. In addition, most gilts were positive for PCV2 DNA in serum, nasal and vaginal swabs at farrowing.