First detection and genetic characterization of Senecavirus A in pigs from Mexico

Abstract

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a member of the Senecavirus genus within the Picornaviridae family. An SVA infection causes ulcerative lesions indistinguishable from other vesicular diseases. We describe the genetic characterization of the first SVA detected in Mexico on 2 swine farms. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated a genetically close relationship with SVA isolates from the United States detected in 2017, sharing a 98.3% to 98.4% nucleotide identity. Neverthe- less, genetic differences were found. In Mexico, SVA is considered an exotic virus. Although the introduction source could not be determined, further studies are needed to understand the molecular epidemiology of SVA detected in Mexico.