New pig disease in Hungary: Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome caused by circovirus (short communication)

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a new disease in Hungary , was recognized in a swine herd located in Southeast Hungary, during the e arly winter of 1999. The first clinical signs of paleness, anaemia, and lea nness appeared immediately after weaning, at the age of 40-50 days. Pustule s were frequently observed on the skin of the trunk, and signs of necrotic dermatitis were also visible. A syndrome of poor growth and wasting was cha racteristic of the affected pigs. A porcine circovirus (PCV), the suspected causative agent, was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequenci ng data and restriction endonuclease (RE) analysis of the PCR products sugg ested that the virus belonged to the PCV-II group where all the causative a gents of PMWS are also grouped.