VACCINES: Pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunopathology, and diagnosis of PMWS, an emerging disease caused by a new porcine circovirus.Develop. of recombinant.

Post weaning multi systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is an emerging disease of pigs, first recognised in 1996,caused presumably by the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV 2). The disease is spreading rapidly in several European countries affected and is becoming a primary cause of economical loss. The main objectives of the project are (i) to obtain bacis knowledge of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and immunopathology of PCV infection and PWMS; (ii) to develop tools for diagnosis of the infection; (iii) to identify proper vaccines prototypes by using conventional and DNA-recombinant technology; (iv) to evaluate the possible risk of PCV for humans, and; (v) to develop tools and criteria for assure quality and control of porcine reagent currently used in pig industry in respect to PCV. The design of prototype vaccines is a major milestone in the project.