To diagnose porcine parvovirus, which fetal tissue should be sent for testing?

The diagnosis of porcine parvovirus (PPV) is optimally performed by submitting the entire mummified fetus for testing. This is because PPV causes fetal death, and mummified fetuses provide insight into the extent of infection. The virus primarily affects fetuses during the first trimester of gestation, leading to a characteristic mummification of affected piglets. The entire mummified fetus can yield a higher viral load and better represent the presence of the virus throughout its tissues.

Testing other tissues, such as brain, placenta, or heart tissue, may not provide as definitive a diagnosis because they may not harbor the virus in sufficient quantities or may not reflect the overall infection status as effectively as the complete mummified fetus. The mummified fetus serves as a vital diagnostic tool, giving pathologists and veterinarians the necessary information to confirm the presence of PPV and guide further management of the infection within the herd.