Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 1 and type 2 co-infection in a Japanese swine herd

The status of co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 1 (PRRSV-1) and type 2 (PRRSV-2) in Japan is poorly understood. A case of such co-infection was identified on a PRRSV-1 non-vaccinated farm in Kagoshima prefecture. Both PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 genomes were simultaneously detected in pig samples by RT-PCR, and molecular analysis confirmed PRRSV-1/PRRSV-2 co-infection in individual piglets. The PRRSV-1 strain (020-P4-EU) was classified as lineage 1 (sublineage: L1.2), showing high similarity to the Unistrain® PRRS vaccine and a Korean strain. The PRRSV-2 strain belonged to lineage 4 (Cluster III). These findings provide molecular evidence of PRRSV-1/PRRSV-2 co-circulation in Japan, suggesting the complex epidemiology of PRRSV in this region.