Effect of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Vaccination of the Dam on PCV2 Replication In Utero

The aims of this study were to determine if porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination of the dam is effective in preventing fetal PCV2 infection and reproductive failure. Twelve pregnant, PCV2-naive sows were randomly divided into four groups, with three sows in each group. Group 1 sows served as noninoculated, nonvaccinated negative controls, group 2 sows were vaccinated with a commercially available PCV2 vaccine at 28 days of gestation and were not inoculated, group 3 sows were vaccinated at 28 days of gestation and inoculated with PCV2b at 56 days of gestation, and group 4 sows were inoculated with PCV2b but were not vaccinated. Serum samples from all sows were collected weekly throughout the gestation period, and sows were allowed to farrow naturally. At parturition, sow colostrum samples, presuckle serum samples, and tissues from the piglets were collected. Reproductive failure was not observed under the study conditions. PCV2 vaccination induced PCV2-specific immunoglobulin G and serum neutralizing antibodies in sows from groups 2 and 3 and prevented detectable PCV2 viremia in the dams after challenge. In group 3, PCV2 DNA was detected in colostrum samples, fetuses, and live-born pigs; however, microscopic lesions and PCV2-specific antigen were not present in any of the fetuses in this group. The results from this study indicate that vertical transmission of PCV2 can occur in PCV2-vaccinated dams.