EN
The article emphasizes the unique pathogenicity of porcine Parvovirus (PPV) causing disease and death both of embryos and fetuses during symptom-fewer infections in pregnant sows as well as other pigs from birth until slaughter. It describes the structure, genetic and antigenic properties of PPV as well as mentioning the NS1 non-structural protein and VP1, VP2 and VP3 structural capsid proteins. The article underlines the importance of VP2 as a hemagglutinin and immunogenic antigen and indicates that PPV is amongst the most resistant existing viruses to environmental factors, heat and disinfectants. It presents the consequences of infections of embryos and fetuses during different intervals of gestation. The ubiquitous and endemic occurrence of PPV is also mentioned as being a horizontal transmission from infected to naive pigs. Infections may also occur in pigs ingesting or inhaling virus-loaded secretions. Vaccines are the major way to ensure prevention of losses due to reproductive failures in swine. Inactivated and live vaccines with attenuated PPV are available. Immunization procedures of gilts, sows and boars are indicated and the article confirms that suspicion of PPV infection is based on irregular estrus, excretion of dead and mummified fetuses and small litters. The hemagglutination-inhibition test, seroneutralization, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and PCR are used for laboratory diagnosis. Since PPV infection is frequent and can not be eradicated losses are considerable.