Genetic diversity of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strains circulating in Hungarian swine herds

Analysis of 37 ORF5 sequences of Hungarian porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains revealed that most of them (35) belonged to the European genotype, forming distinct subgroups, reflecting the exceptional diversity of Eastern European strains. Twelve vaccine-like strains were also found in non-vaccinated animals. Two strains belonged to the American genotype showing 90–91% nucleotide identity to the “Quebec” Canadian reference strain. The analysis of the putative ectodomains and their N-linked glycosylation sites of the vaccine strain and its variants suggested selective pressure on the first ectodomain, by a consistent amino acid change on epitope B and by loosing a glycosylation site in the otherwise conserved N-46 position.