Swine Vesicular Disease Virus

Swine vesicular disease (SVD) virus (SVDV) belongs to the Enterovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family. This virus is genetically and antigenically highly related to the human coxsackie virus B5 (CVB5). Indeed, it has been shown that SVDV is a subspecies of CVB5 that arose as a result of an adaptation to swine. SVDV causes a vesicular disease that affects pigs, resulting in lesions and clinical signs similar to those of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In this chapter we have addressed different aspects relevant to understand the infectious cycle of SVDV, including its genome organization and the control of gene expression, the proteins encoded by the SVDV RNA and their known functions, as well as the role they play on cell entry and virus replication and pathogenesis. In addition, the characteristics of the virus particles and the adaptive response elicited by this virus, as well as current strategies for SVDV control by vaccination and other antiviral strategies are discussed. The clinical signs and lesions characteristic of SVD are also addressed, as well as the current approaches to its diagnosis, with special emphasis in its differentiation from FMD. Finally, an overview regarding SVDV control and epidemiology is also presented.