Genetic variation in open reading frame 5 gene of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Taiwan

In an effort to understand the genetic variation in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolates in Taiwan, 40 isolates obtained between 2004 and 2006 were analyzed for their sequences of open reading frame 5. After reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the amplified open reading frame 5 fragments were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence comparison. The results showed that all the Taiwanese isolates belonged to the North American genotype. Multiple patterns obtained from restriction fragment length polymorphism, 83–99% nucleotide similarity and 84–99% deduced amino acid similarity suggested a high level of genetic variation and PRRSV was not a single invasion to Taiwan. Moreover, vaccine-like isolates were isolated from the field, implying that some field isolates might originate from vaccine virus.