Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of porcine parvovirus 3 (PPV-3) in domestic pigs in Nigeria

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) causes reproductive failure in pigs, creating significant economic losses for the global swine industry. Eight strains (PPV-1 to PPV-8) have been identified in pigs although the precise roles of PPV-2 to PPV-8 in causing clinical syndromes are unclear. Epidemiological surveillance has been conducted in Europe, Asia, and North America, but data on the genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns of PPV in Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. Tonsil swabs were collected from 162 pigs at the Railway pig market in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Analysis of the tonsil swabs by PCR resulted in the detection PPV-3 in 7.4% of animals. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses targeting the VP2 region showed that the Nigerian strains had limited diversity and close relationship with UK and South Korean strains. Although serological evidence of PPV-1 and PPV-2 has been previously reported, this study highlights the first report of PPV-3 in Nigeria. Hence, there is a need for further studies to understand the circulation and impact of porcine parvoviruses in Sub-Saharan Africa.