Viral Pathogenesis in Swine Infectious Diseases

Viral pathogenesis in swine encompasses the mechanisms by which diverse viruses invade, replicate within and damage the porcine host. Major viral agents include African swine fever virus (ASFV), a complex double-stranded DNA virus causing haemorrhagic fever with near-100% mortality, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an enveloped RNA virus responsible for respiratory distress and reproductive failure. Pathogenic processes involve cell-type tropism—whereby ASFV targets macrophages and PRRSV infects pulmonary macrophages and dendritic cells—triggering immune evasion, inflammatory cascades and tissue damage. Viral factors such as multigene families and immune-modulating proteins subvert host innate responses, leading to high morbidity and mortality. In the absence of fully protective vaccines for many swine viruses, control strategies rely on biosecurity, diagnostics and vector management. Recent advances in molecular virology have deepened understanding of recombination events, host–pathogen interactions and biomarkers of infection, guiding the development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics to safeguard global pig populations and food security.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have detected naturally occurring recombinants between genotype I and II strains of African swine fever virus in affected pig populations. Genomic analyses revealed that over half of the recombinant genome derives from a virulent genotype II parent, conferring high lethality and efficient transmission in experimental pigs. Deletion of key virulence genes within one recombinant strain attenuates disease, whereas existing genotype II-derived live attenuated vaccines fail to protect against challenge by these novel recombinants. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of ASFV evolution and the necessity for updated vaccine designs accounting for emergent recombinant lineages.

Viral Pathogenesis in Swine Infectious Diseases publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in viral pathogenesis in swine infectious diseases across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Pathogenesis: The biological mechanisms and processes by which a pathogen induces disease in a host.

Recombinant virus: A virus whose genome comprises genetic segments derived from two or more distinct parental strains.

Live attenuated vaccine: A vaccine containing live pathogens weakened to abolish disease-causing capacity while retaining immunogenicity.

Nanoparticle vaccine: A vaccine formulation in which antigens are presented on or within nanoscale carrier particles to enhance immune responses.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA): A bioactive lipid mediator involved in cell signalling and modulation of inflammatory and interferon responses.

Innate immunity: The host’s first line of defence against pathogens, comprising rapid, non-specific immune mechanisms.

References

1. Highly lethal genotype I and II recombinant African swine fever viruses detected in pigs. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Structures and implications of the C962R protein of African swine fever virus. Nucleic Acids Research (2023).
3. Multi‐Omics Analysis by Machine Learning Identified Lysophosphatidic Acid as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. Advanced Science (2024).
4. A candidate nanoparticle vaccine comprised of multiple epitopes of the African swine fever virus elicits a robust immune response. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2023).