Antibody responses following vaccination versus infection in a porcine circovirus-type 2 (PCV2) disease model show distinct differences in virus neutralization and epitope recognition

► Antibody response during PCV2 infection is largely non-protective. ► Vaccination induces sterilizing immunity. ► The role of concurrent PRRSV infection is to increase PCV2 replication. ► The results provide insight into immunopathogenesis and future vaccine design.