Appropriate Diagnostic Submissions for PCV2-Associated Diseases

Because PCV2 infection is often multisystemic in growing pigs and because identification of coinfections is important in the prevention and control of PCV2-associated disease, a diagnostic investigation of cases suspected to be any of the PCV2-associated disease should include a full set of tissues from affected pigs.  We recommend working up all cases as if you suspect PCV2-associated severe systemic disease.

Severe systemic infection of PCV2 (formerly known as PMWS).  Submissions to confirm systemic infection should include the following:

• fresh and formalin fixed tonsil
• fresh and formalin fixed spleen
• 4-6 fresh and formalin-fixed lymph nodes (preferably inguinal, iliac, mesenteric, tracheobronchial and any others that are enlarged)
• fresh and formalin-fixed lung
• fresh and formalin-fixed liver
• fresh and formalin-fixed kidney
• fresh and formalin-fixed ileum
• fresh and formalin-fixed colon
• fresh and formalin fixed skin from lesions if they exist on the body, legs  or ears
• serum for serology and PCR

PCV2-associated pneumonia.  Submissions to confirm PCV2-associated pneumonia should include the following:

• fresh and formalin-fixed lung
• serum for serology and PCR

PCV2-associated enteritis. Submissions to confirm PCV2-associated pneumonia should include the following:

• fresh and formalin-fixed ileum and colon
• serum for serology and PCR

PCV2-associated porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS).  Submissions to confirm a diagnosis of PDNS should include the following:

• fresh and formalin-fixed skin
• fresh and formalin fixed kidney
• serum for serology and PCR

PCV2-associated reproductive failure.  Submissions to confirm PCV2-associated reproductive failure should include the following:

• fresh, chilled whole fetuses
• serum from affected and unaffected sows and boars for serology and PCR

Swine Postmortem Techniques – A Virtual Wet Lab