Genome characterization of a porcine circovirus type 3 in South China

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is a novel circovirus that was associated with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, reproductive failure, and multisystemic inflammation. Recently, a PCV3 strain was identified from pyretic and pneumonic piglets in Guangdong province, China. This virus strain was sequenced and designated PCV3-China/GD2016. The complete genome of PCV3-China/GD2016 is 2,000 bp in length and shared 99.1% and 99.1% nucleotide identities with PCV3/29160 and PCV3/2164, respectively. [Corrections added after initial online publication on 13 March 2017: The numbers '98.5%' and '97.4%' has been changed to '99.1%' and '99.1%' in the previous sentence.] Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome showed that PCV3-China/GD2016 clustered with the emerging PCV3 and separated with other virus in genus Circovirus. The results of this study suggest that PCV3 has existed within the pigs of China. It is urgent to investigate the pathogenicity and epidemiology of this novel circovirus China.