Molecular epidemiological surveillance and complete genome analysis of porcine circoviruses in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of porcine circoviruses (PCVs) in wild boars and conduct genotypic and phylogenetic investigations to understand viral dispersal and evolution in the wild boar population in South Korea’s Gyeongnam Province. We found a relatively high prevalence (47/296, 15.9%) of PCVs in serum samples from captured wild boars. Of the 47 PCV-positive samples, 38 tested positive for PCV2, 7 for PCV3, and 2 for PCV2 and PCV3. Genotyping PCR showed that PCV2d and PCV3b are the dominant genotypes. Comparative genetic analysis revealed that wild boar PCV2 and PCV3 viruses closely resemble their corresponding genotypic strains circulating in South Korea.