New genomic characteristics of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses do not lead to significant changes in pathogenicity

Highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (HP-PRRS) initially emerged in China and currently prevails in other Asian countries as well, resulting in immense economic losses. HP-PRRS virus (HP-PRRSV) has undergone rapid evolution since its first recognition in 2006. To analyze the genomic and pathogenic characteristics of 2010 HP-PRRSV, we tested 919 clinical samples collected from China, Laos and Vietnam, sequenced 29 complete genomes of HP-PRRSV isolates, and determined the pathogenicity of seven HP-PRRS viruses isolated from 2006 to 2010. HP-PRRSV was detected from 45.2% (415/919) samples, while only 0.1% (1/919) was classical PRRSV, indicating that HP-PRRSV isolates with a unique discontinuous deletion of 30 amino acids (aa) in non-structural protein 2 (Nsp2) are still the predominant viruses. 2010 HP-PRRSV together with 2009 HP-PRRSV isolates form a new evolutionary branch based on phylogenetic analyses. The numbers of potential N-glycosylation sites are variable in major glycoprotein GP5 but are conserved in minor glycoproteins GP2, GP3 and GP4. Pathogenicity studies showed that HP-PRRS viruses isolated from 2006 to 2010 maintain similar level of high pathogenicity, which caused high fever (>41 °C for at least four days), 100% morbidity, and 40–100% mortality in 4–10 weeks old pigs. Real time monitoring information from this study could help to understand the genetic and pathogenic evolution of HP-PRRSV and assist in the control of HP-PRRS in Asia.