Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the assumed causative agent of a number of different diseases
summarized as porcine circovirus diseases (PCVD). The virus is shed via different se- and excretions of
PCV2 infected pigs. Transmission of the virus occurs horizontally and vertically either by oronasal or
diaplacental infection. Recent research emphasizes the importance of diaplacental PCV2 infection or the
infection in early stages of the piglet’s life attributable to excretion of PCV2 by the dams within the
suckling period. To estimate the prevalence of intrauterine PCV2 infections under
field conditions in
Bavaria the PCV2 status of farrowing sows (n = 198) and corresponding pre-suckling piglets (n = 590) of
20 piglet producing farms was examined. PCV2 viral load and anti-PCV2 antibodies in the serum of the
sows and piglets were examined at time of farrowing or before colostrum intake, respectively.
PCV2 excretion of the sows via saliva, feces and urine was examined additionally. PCV2 specific
antibodies in the serum of the sows were detectable on 11 farms with a mean in herd seroprevalence of
35.5% in these farms. Only 0.65% of all samples collected from 198 sows were positive for PCV2 DNA
(serum: 1%; feces: 0.5%; saliva: 0.5%; urine: 0.6%). PCV2 DNA was detectable in sample material from
seronegative sows as well as from seropositive sows. In none of the pre-suckling serum samples of the
piglets IgG antibodies against PCV2 or PCV2 DNA were present. No correlation between the antibody- and
viremia status of the sows and the PCV2 excretion was detectable. In contrast to reports about a high
prevalence of viremic pre-suckling piglets in the suckling period in North America, the results of the
present study reveal that diaplacental infection with PCV2 is comparatively rare in Southern Germany
and infection of piglets within the suckling period seems to be more likely.