Epidemiological Survey of Porcine Circovirus Types 2 and 3 in Liaoning Region of China and Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies Against PCV3 Cap Protein

Porcine circovirus (PCV) is a major viral pathogen associated with multiple systemic diseases in pigs, inflicting significant economic losses to the global swine industry. To investigate the epidemiology and genetic evolution of porcine circovirus in Liaoning Province, China, PCV was detected by qPCR in 1224 clinical samples. Subsequent genetic evolution analysis of the Cap gene was conducted, and an indirect ELISA and monoclonal antibody were established. The results demonstrated PCV2 and PCV3 positivity rates of 14.13% and 21.90%, respectively, with a coinfection rate of 4.08%. All six sequences were identified as belonging to the PCV3b subtype. A representative PCV3 strain was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system and used to immunize 6-week-old female BALB/c mice, resulting in serum antibody titers reaching 1:512,000. The positive hybridoma cell line 3E6 was selected and identified as expressing IgM heavy chains and κ light chains. The prepared monoclonal antibody 3E6 exhibited specific reactivity with the Cap protein. Collectively, this study elucidates the recent epidemiological status and evolutionary characteristics of PCV in pig populations in Liaoning Province, thereby providing an important theoretical basis and reference data for disease prevention, control, diagnosis, and vaccine development.