Establishment of real-time viral pathogen detection method-surface-enhanced Raman scattering system for porcine circovirus type II

Yu-Hsing Lin 1, #, Yan-Zhong Wu 2, #, Ya-Ling Cyue 2, Pi-Hsin Chen 2, Ya-Peng Wang 2, Yu-Ying Fang 2, Tsung-Han Wu 2, Shih-Yi Guo 2, Keng-Chia Hsu 2, Chia-Ying Lin 2, Shao-Qun Lai 3 and Shao-Wen Hung 2, 4, *

1 Department of Pet Healthcare, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Xiangshan, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
2 Division of Animal Industry, Animal Technology Research Center, Agricultural Technology Research Institute, Xiangshan, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
3 Division of Animal Resources, Animal Technology Research Center, Agricultural Technology Research Institute, Xiangshan, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
4 Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Xiangshan, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
# Contributed equally to this work.
 
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 27(01), 070–081.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2024.27.1.0117
Publication history: 
Received on 24 February 2024; revised on 02 April 2024; accepted on 05 April 2024
 
Abstract: 
The transition towards large-scale intensive pig farming methods has resulted in an increase in cases of complex, mixed infections, and secondary infections. Porcine circovirus (PCV), the causative agent of PCV disease (PCVD), is a small nonenveloped DNA virus containing a single-stranded circular genome. Previously, PCV was even considered nonpathogenic to pigs. However, a novel strain of PCV, designated PCV-2, has been associated with various disease syndromes in pigs over the last 5 years. PCV-2 primarily induces post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, characterized by clinical signs such as debility, dyspnea, palpable lymphadenopathy, diarrhea, and pallor or icterus. PCV-2 is now recognized as an important emerging pathogen. Early diagnosis and disease prevention have become crucial for effective pig farm management. However, clinical diagnosis may be complicated by antibiotic treatment and atypical disease symptoms. To ensure accurate pathology diagnosis, it is essential to integrate robust laboratory diagnostics with traditional methods. Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has emerged as a potentially powerful technique for whole-organism fingerprinting, enabling rapid identification of bacteria. Biosensors utilizing SERS offer promising capabilities for sensitive and quick detection of bacterial pathogens, thereby reducing diagnosis time. In this study, our aim was to characterize and evaluate a SERS-based diagnostic system for detecting and identifying PCV-2 present in pooled swine sera and feces. We compared the spectra of PCV-2 recovered from the specimens to those of pure PCV-2 to determine the PCV-2 molecular fingerprint. Our results demonstrated successful detection, identification, and classification of PCV-2 in swine sera and feces using SERS. SERS provided reproducible molecular spectroscopic signatures suitable for analytical applications. This approach presents a new and potent tool for real-time surveillance of animal viral pathogens in clinical settings.
 
Keywords: 
Animal Diseases; Pig; Porcine Circovirus Type II; Raman Spectrum; Real-Time Surveillance
 
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