Porcine Circovirus - Virus Facts

Facts About Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2)

An electron micrograph of PCV2 virions.
Photo compliments of John Ellis, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, DACVM, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

PCV2 is a member of the family Circoviridae, a recently established virus family that contains both PCV1 (does not cause disease in swine) and PCV2¹
Circoviruses get their names from their DNA, which is a circular, single-stranded molecule¹
PCV2 is the smallest, freely replicating virus known in vertebrates²
The circular PCV2 genome is only 1,767-1,768 nucleotides in length and only codes for two proteins – one determines viral replication and one establishes the viral coat ^1,2

Genomic organization of PCV2.
Diagram compliments of Steven Krakowka, DVM, PhD, DACVP, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Reference

Segalés J, Allan GM, Domingo M. Porcine circovirus diseases. Anim Health Res Rev 2005;6(2):119-42.
Krakowka S. PCV2 & PCVADs. Suvaxyn Swine Update 2006;3. Fort Dodge Animal Health.