In 2024, a highly fatal outbreak of equine salmonellosis occurred in a Hungarian equine referral hospital, resulting in the death or euthanasia of four out of five affected horses. Salmonella (S.) enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium was identified as the primary causative agent from equine faecal, reflux, and post-mortem intestinal content samples, while one case involved S. Coeln. Extensive environmental sampling during the outbreak also yielded multiple Salmonella serovars. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a high degree of genetic relatedness among the S. Typhimurium isolates, confirming nosocomial transmission. The source of the isolated S. Typhimurium was most likely a 3-year-old gelding imported immediately before the admission to the hospital. The isolates belonged to sequence type ST376 and exhibited multidrug resistance, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase and fluoroquinolone resistance genes. Retrospective analysis of microbiological records from 2010 to mid-2024 identified 23 Salmonella-positive equine cases involving eight serovars and three probable nosocomial clusters preceding the 2024 outbreak. Following the outbreak, enhanced passive surveillance was implemented between October 2024 and August 2025. During this period, 56 at-risk horses were examined using selective bacteriological testing of clinical and post-mortem samples, of which 11 (19.6%) were Salmonella-positive, representing eight different serovars. A distinct cluster of S. Martonos was detected, and six of the surveillance-associated cases resulted in fatal outcomes. These findings demonstrate that Salmonella is repeatedly introduced into the equine hospital environment and that serovars differ markedly in virulence and transmission dynamics. The exceptionally high case fatality observed during the 2024 outbreak underscores the importance of integrated genomic surveillance, rapid diagnostics, and sustained infection control measures to mitigate the risk of severe nosocomial salmonellosis in equine clinics.

Abstract Background Rotaviruses (RVs) are important enteric pathogens of swine, contributing significantly to neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea worldwide. Although rotavirus A (RVA) is the best characterized species, much less is known about the epidemiology and genetic diversity of RVB and RVC, especially in Central Europe. This study aimed to investigate the presence and genetic diversity of RVA, RVB, and RVC in diarrheic piglets in Hungary using Nanopore third-generation sequencing. Results A total of 77 fecal swab samples collected from diarrheic piglets across 19 swine farms were analyzed. All three RV species were detected, RVA and RVC were each identified in 54.5% of samples, while 40.3% was RVB positive. Coinfections involving multiple RV species were frequent, highlighting the complex etiology of piglet diarrhea. Altogether, 8 RVA, 3 RVB, and 4 RVC full-genome sequences, comprising all 11 segments, were identified. Genotyping of RVA strains revealed multiple G/P genotype combinations, with G9P[23] being the most prevalent. Whole-genome analysis demonstrated a Wa-like genomic backbone of porcine origin. In RVB, three complete VP4 sequences were obtained that could not be assigned to any known P genotype, suggesting the presence of a novel lineage. Hungarian RVC strains showed high genetic diversity, including five distinct G genotypes and one potential novel P genotype, underlining evolutionary diversity of porcine RVs. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive molecular characterization of RVA, RVB, and RVC circulating in Hungarian pig populations. The high prevalence of coinfections and the detection of genetically diverse and potentially novel strains emphasize the complexity of RV epidemiology in swine. These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance to better understand their role in pig health and zoonotic risk.

Here we report the isolation of Streptococcus hillyeri from a thoracic sample from a horse. A 17-y-old Hungarian Sport Horse mare was referred to the equine clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Hungary, with suspected pleuritis. Upon arrival, the horse was febrile and had tachycardia, severe inspiratory dyspnea, and tachypnea. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed severe bilateral pleural effusion, and a large area of lung consolidation. After sampling of both hemithoraces, 66 L of turbid exudate were drained. Based on these findings, a tentative diagnosis of septic pleuritis was made, and the horse was immediately started on a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics, a NSAID, an anticoagulant, and intravenous fluids. Despite intensive care, the clinical parameters deteriorated, and the horse was euthanized 6 d later. Cytology confirmed septic pleuritis, with short chains or groups of coccoid bacteria. Anaerobic culture yielded gram-positive cocci from both hemithoraces in almost pure culture, which we identified as S. hillyeri by 16S rDNA and whole-genome analysis. Additionally, we identified 4 previously unassigned Streptococcus sp. sequences as S. hillyeri. Of these, 3 were obtained from aborted equine fetuses and a fourth from a donkey mastitis case, supporting the pathogenic nature of S. hillyeri in these host species.

Tusavirus 1 of species Protoparvovirus incertum 1 (family Parvoviridae) was first identified in humans and later in small ruminants (caprine and ovine). This study reports the full-length coding sequences (~4400–4600 nt) of three novel tusavirus-related protoparvoviruses from ovine (“misavirus”, PV540792), for the first time bovine (“sisavirus”, PV540793) and subsequently from caprine (“gisavirus” PV540850/51) fecal samples, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and PCR techniques. Their NS1, VP1 and VP2 proteins shared 61–63% amino acid identities with each other and with tusaviruses, suggesting these three viruses belong to three novel species in the genus Protoparvovirus. Phylogenetic analyses placed them with tusaviruses on a separate main branch, implying a shared origin among these most likely ruminant protoparvoviruses. A small-scale epidemiological investigation on 318 ruminant enteric samples using novel generic NS1 primers found misavirus in 14/51 (27.5%) ovine and sisavirus in 19/203 (9.4%) bovine samples from multiple Hungarian farms. Tusavirus was present in 5/51 (9.8%) ovine and 15/62 (24.2%) caprine samples, all from one farm. The highest prevalences for all three viruses were found in animals aged 2–12 months, though sporadic cases were also found in other age groups. Partial NS and VP sequence-based phylogenetic trees showed virus-specific lineages for misa-, sisa-, gisa- and tusaviruses, with various strains forming sub-lineages. These findings suggest the presence of multiple genotypes and/or members of additional species, which was supported by a VP sequence-based hierarchical cluster analysis. The study’s viruses were mostly phylogenetically separated by host; however, two bovine sisavirus strains with diverse phylogenetic localizations in the NS (belonging to bovine sisaviruses) and VP1 trees (distantly related to ovine misaviruses) could indicate previous (interspecies?) recombination events.

Abstract Background Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen and a significant zoonotic agent, causing substantial economic losses in the swine sector and having considerable public health importance. The control and management of S. suis-related conditions has become increasingly challenging due to the multitude of involved serotypes with varying antimicrobial resistance patterns. Here, we report the serological distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. suis isolates isolated form clinical samples of Hungarian large-scale swine farms. Results Between 2020 and 2023, altogether 296 S. suis isolates were obtained from diseased pigs of 64 Hungarian pig operations. Serotyping of the isolates was carried out by using molecular methods (cps-typing). The isolated strains belonged to 24 single cps-types. The most frequently detected cps-types during the four years of this passive survey were 9 (19.6%), 2 (19.3%), 1/2 (18.9%) and 7 (14.5%). The brain, spleen, endocardial valve thrombus and lung proved to be the most frequent site of S. suis strain isolation, and animals 29–75 days of age were affected in the highest proportion. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration for 15 antimicrobial agents of veterinary and human importance using a commercial microdilution assay. More than 90% of the tested isolates proved to be susceptible to the examined beta-lactams, cephalosporins and florfenicol, as well as to rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. Phenotypic resistance profiles (resistotypes) of clindamycin-tetracyclin (3.8%), clindamycin-erythromycin-tetracyclin (8.4%) and clindamycin-erythromycin-tetracyclin-trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (3.8%) were most frequently detected. Vancomycin resistance was observed in the case of 1 S. suis strain. Conclusions The dominance of S. suis cps-types 9, 2, 1/2 and 7 in Hungary over the four years of this study aligns with previous reports from several countries worldwide. The presence of highly susceptible S. suis isolates suggests a prudent antibiotic usage and treatment practice in the surveyed Hungarian swine operations. In contrary, the presence of several resistotypes could indicate the problem of antibiotic resistance in the future.

A Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) kóroktanú járványok már az 1970-es évek óta súlyos károkat okoznak a délkelet-ázsiai és a kínai sertéságazatban. Az elmúlt évtizedben Észak-Amerikában is leírtak már a baktérium által okozott septicaemia miatti, jelentős mortalitással járó eseteket. Európában ez idáig mindössze két, hasonló tünetekkel járó SEZ oktanú járványkitörésről számoltak be. A szerzők esetleírásukban a kelet-közép-európai régió első dokumentált SEZ okozta járványkitörését ismertetik, amely során egy nyugat-magyarországi ökológiai gazdálkodású sertéstelepen kocák vetélését és hirtelen elhullását tapasztalták.

Infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major risk factor for livestock and animal health workers. An important representative of these pathogens is Staphylococcus aureus, of which certain genetic lineages are able to colonise and cause infection in both animal and human hosts. We aimed to assess the proportion of equine veterinarians carrying this bacterium by sampling participants attending a Hungarian equine health conference and to investigate the public and animal health risk of the strains by detailed characterisation of the isolates. Our results show that 40% (10/25) of the samplea practitioners carried S. aureus, which is higher than the population average (20-30%). Six (60%) of the strains were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and five belonged to genotypes that are usually isolated from equine nosocomial infections or other clinical samples of horses, but their public health significance is negligible at present. Although the small sample number makes the estimation of the prevalence rate highly uncertain, it highlights the potential vector role of equine practitioners in the spread of MRSA and other multidrug-resistant bacteria outside the equine hospital environment.

A szerzők az irodalmi áttekintés első részében a Streptococcus suis mikrobiológiáját és sokrétű diagnosztikáját veszik górcső alá. A téma jelentőségét az adja, hogy a kórokozó jelentős gazdasági károkat okozhat a sertéságazat bármely szektorában, továbbá jelentős zoonotikus potenciállal is bír. Az irodalmi összefoglalóban a streptococcusok általános tulajdonságainak jellemzése után a S. suis tenyésztését, előfordulását és virulenciafaktorait ismertetik, majd részletesen kitérnek a szerotípusok meghatározására és végül a kórokozó közegészségügyi jelentőségét tekintik át.

Human orf disease (called ecthyma contagiosum or contagious/infectious pustular dermatitis in animals) was confirmed on the fingers of both hands of a 24-year-old female, after feeding diseased lambs with a nursing bottle in April 2023. In addition to skin symptoms, she had low-grade fever (37.6°C) and swollen lymph nodes in both axilla. The presence of orf virus (genus Parapoxvirus , family Poxviridae ) was confirmed, and this strain, Baja/2023/HUN (OR372161-OR372163), was found to have > 98% nucleotide sequence identity to sheep-origin orf viruses in four tested genome regions (ORF011/B2L, ORF019, ORF020/VIR, and ORF056). This is the first report of a human case of infection with the neglected zoonotic orf virus in Hungary.

Az állattenyésztésben és állategészségügyben dolgozók multidrogrezisztens baktériumokkal való fertőződése kiemelt kockázati tényező. Ezen kórokozók egyik fontos képviselője a Staphylococcus aureus, amelynek bizonyos genetikai vonalai képesek mind az állati, mind az emberi gazdaszervezetben megtelepedni és fertőzést okozni. A szerzők egy hazai lógyógyászati konferencia résztvevőinek mintázásával kívánták felmérni, hogy a lógyógyász-állatorvosok milyen arányban hordozzák ezt a baktériumot, a törzsek részletes jellemzésével pedig azok köz- és állategészségügyi kockázatát vizsgálták. Eredményeik alapján a mintázott szakemberek 40%-a (10/25) hordozott valamilyen S. aureus-törzset, ami a populációs átlag (20–30%) feletti érték. A törzsek közül hat (60%) meticillinrezisztens S. aureus (MRSA) volt, és öt olyan genotípushoz tartozott, amit rendszerint lókórházi esetekből vagy lovak klinikai mintáiból is izolálnak, közegészségügyi jelentőségük azonban egyelőre elhanyagolható. Ugyan a kis elemszám miatt az előfordulás arányára vonatkozó becslés bizonytalansága nagy, mégis felhívja a figyelmet a lógyógyászatban tevékenykedők potenciális vektorszerepére az MRSA és más, multidrogrezisztens baktériumok terjesztésében a lókórházakon kívüli környezetben is.

Outbreaks of zoonotic Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) have caused severe epidemics in the pig sector since the 1970s in Southeastern Asia, China, and more recently North America. Cases of high mortality caused by peracute septicaemia were all attributed to strains of a highly virulent clonal lineage belonging to the sequence type (ST) 194. In Europe, only two outbreaks have been reported with similar features, caused by other sequence types. In August 2023, a febrile disease followed by abortion and subsequent death was observed among sows kept in a small-scale organic pig farm in West Hungary. Symptoms, pathological lesions, and microbiological findings were suggestive of septicaemia from bacterial origin caused by SEZ. According to the results of the routine laboratory testing, no other relevant infectious agents were involved. Whole-genome sequence analysis assigned the examined strains to ST138, unrelated to any of the European isolates. It also revealed a few common SEZ virulence genes, compared to the highly virulent ST194 strains. A sudden weather change and subsequent extremely high average daily temperature before the outbreak could be identified as the only predisposing factor. The immediate antibiotic treatment and applied biosecurity measures might have helped to restrict and terminate the outbreak. To our knowledge, this is the first report on abortion and lethal septicaemia in sows from Central and Eastern Europe. The results call attention to the potential of non-ST194 SEZ strains to cause outbreaks in pig farms.

The objective of this field trial was to investigate the efficacy of tilvalozin (TVN) administered via drinking water at a dose cf 10 mg/kg bw for 5 days for the treatment and metaphylaxis of respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (hereafter: M. hyopneumoniae) for fattening pigs under farm conditions. The primary parameters were the cure rate of clinically ill pigs and the new incidence rate among in contact pen mates. The two groups consisted of mixed sex fattening pigs of the same age (16 weeks) housed in the same fattening barn in 11-11 pens (average 22 pigs per pen). In addition to M. hyopneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Glasserella parasuis and Mycoplasma hyorhinis were detected in bronchoalveolar fluid taken before the first treatment and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the lung of a dead pig. The TVN group received Aivlosin (R) 625 mg/g granules for use in drinking water for pigs (ECO Animal Health), while the clinically ill animals in the control group were treated with tylosin injection (Pharmasin 200 mg/ml inj. Huvepharma NV) at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw for 3 days. Clinically healthy pigs in the control group were not treated. Thus, the study was a positive (reference) controlled (non inferiority) from curative treatment and a negative (untreated) controlled from metaphylaxis point of view. The cure rate was 91.7% in the TVN group vs 86.7% in the positive control group, which was statistically significant equivalence. The incidence of new cases as well as the severity of the respiratory signs proved to be significantly lower in the TVN (0.9%, mean respiratory score 0.09) than in the negative (untreated) control group (4.5% and mean score of 0.26). The results support the efficacy of tylvalosin in a dose of 10 mg/kg bw via drinking water for the treatment and metaphylaxis of respiratory disease associated with M. nyopneumoniae under field conditions.

A major problem of our time is the ever-increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents in bacterial populations. One of the most effective ways to prevent these problems is to target antibacterial therapies for specific diseases. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effectiveness of florfenicol against S. suis, which can cause severe arthritis and septicemia in swine herds. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of florfenicol in porcine plasma and synovial fluid were determined. After a single intramuscular administration of florfenicol at 30 mg/kgbw, the AUC0–∞ was 164.45 ± 34.18 µg/mL × h and the maximum plasma concentration was 8.15 ± 3.11 µg/mL, which was reached in 1.40 ± 0.66 h, whereas, in the synovial fluid, these values were 64.57 ± 30.37 µg/mL × h, 4.51 ± 1.16 µg/mL and 1.75 ± 1.16 h, respectively. Based on the MIC values of the 73 S. suis isolates tested, the MIC50 and MIC90 values were 2 µg/mL and 8 µg/mL, respectively. We successfully implemented a killing–time curve in pig synovial fluid as a matrix. Based on our findings, the PK/PD breakpoints of the bacteriostatic (E = 0), bactericidal (E = −3) and eradication (E = −4) effects of florfenicol were determined and MIC thresholds were calculated, which are the guiding indicators for the treatment of these diseases. The AUC24h/MIC values for bacteriostatic, bactericidal and eradication effects were 22.22 h, 76.88 h and 141.74 h, respectively, in synovial fluid, and 22.42 h, 86.49 h and 161.76 h, respectively, in plasma. The critical MIC values of florfenicol against S. suis regarding bacteriostatic, bactericidal and eradication effects in pig synovial fluid were 2.91 ± 1.37 µg/mL, 0.84 ± 0.39 µg/mL and 0.46 ± 0.21 µg/mL, respectively. These values provide a basis for further studies on the use of florfenicol. Furthermore, our research highlights the importance of investigating the pharmacokinetic properties of antibacterial agents at the site of infection and the pharmacodynamic properties of these agents against different bacteria in different media.

A szerzők hízósertéseken, nagyüzemi körülmények között vizsgálták 10 mg/ttkg, ivóvízben, 5 napon át adagolt tilvalozin (TVN) hatékonyságát Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae okozta légzőszervi betegség gyógy- és metafilaktikus kezelésére. A gyógyulási arány 91,7% volt a TVN, 86,7% a referens kontrollcsoportban, ami szignifikáns egyenértékűséget jelent. Az új megbetegedés aránya szignifikánsan kisebb volt (0,9% szemben a 4,5%-kal), valamint a légzőszervi tünetek enyhébb formában jelentek meg a TVN (átlag pontszám: 0,09, ill. 0,26), mint a kezeletlen kontrollcsoportban. Az eredmények alátámasztják a tilvalozin hatékonyságát a sertések Mycoplasma-pneumoniájának gyógy- és metafilaktikus kezelésére

Background: Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes conferring resistance to the majority of beta-lactam antibiotics in many bacterial species, including Escherichia coli. Bacteria harboring these enzymes could be resistant to 3rd and 4th class cephalosporines and carbapenems, depleting the range of compounds available for treating serious human infections. Objectives: The authors of this study aimed to examine the ESBL production of 50 selected E. coli strains isolated between 2016 and 2022 in Hungary from cases of porcine diarrhea. Materials and Methods: Archived E. coli strains suspected to produce ESBL were selected based on results. The 50 strains tested in the study originated from 27 different farms, 28 were collected from suckling, 22 from weaned piglets. The phenotypic characterization of the strains was achieved using Micronaut-S beta-lactamases MIC plates. Results and Discussion: Phenotypic characterization of selected E. coli strains revealed the presence of ESBL production in 35 strains, two strains additionally produced AmpC cephalosporinase, and one strain only produced AmpC. ESBL producing strains were found on 20 of the 27 farms investigated. Many of the ESBL producing strains originating from cases of neonatal diarrhea did not possess any of the examined virulence factor genes, nor were they beta-hemolytic. ESBL producing strains from post weaning diarrhea cases on the other hand were all beta-hemolytic and had one or several virulence factor genes. ESBL producing strains are likely widespread, although with quite low frequency in the Hungarian swine production system, both among pathogenic and likely commensal groups of E. coli. Continuous monitoring of ESBL producing strains is warranted, possibly with the inclusion of ESBL selective media or other methods of identification in routine AST, especially in case of E. coli strains isolated from suckling piglets.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bearing the mecC gene (mecC-MRSA) has been reported from animals and humans in recent years. This study describes the first mecC-MRSA isolates of human and equine origin in Hungary (two isolates from horses and one from a veterinarian, who treated one of the infected horses, but was asymptomatic). MRSA isolates were identified by cultivation and PCR detection of the species-specific spa gene and mecA/mecC methicillin resistance genes. The isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, MLST, spa, SCCmec typing, PFGE and whole genome sequencing (WGS). All three isolates belonged to the ST130-t843-SCCmec XI genotype, and carried the mecC and blaZ genes. Apart from beta-lactam drugs, they were sensitive to all tested antibiotics. The isolates of the infected horse and its veterinarian had the same PFGE pulsotype and showed only slight differences with WGS. Hence, this is the first description of direct transmission of a mecC-carrying MRSA between a horse and its veterinarian. The emergence of mecC in the country highlights the importance of the appropriate diagnostics in MRSA identification.

Background: Extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes conferring resistance to the majority of ß-lactam antibiotics in many bacterial species, including Escherichia coli. Bacteria harboring these enzymes could be resistant to 3rd and 4th class cephalosporines and carbapenems, depleting the range of compounds available for treating serious human infections. Objectives: The authors of this study aimed to examine the ESBL production of 50 selected E. coli strains isolated between 2016 and 2022 in Hungary from cases of porcine diarrhea. Materials and Methods: Archived E. coli strains suspected to produce ESBL were selected based on results. The 50 strains tested in the study originated from 27 different farms, 28 were collected from suckling, 22 from weaned piglets. The phenotypic characterization of the strains was achieved using Micronaut-S ß-lactamases MIC plates. Results and Discussion: Phenotypic characterization of selected E. coli strains revealed the presence of ESBL production in 35 strains, two strains additionally produced AmpC cephalosporinase, and one strain only produced AmpC. ESBL producing strains were found on 20 of the 27 farms investigated. Many of the ESBL producing strains originating from cases of neonatal diarrhea did not possess any of the examined virulence factor genes, nor were they ß-hemolytic. ESBL producing strains from post weaning diarrhea cases on the other hand were all ß-hemolytic and had one or several virulence factor genes. ESBL producing strains are likely widespread, although with quite low frequency in the Hungarian swine production system, both among pathogenic and likely commensal groups of E. coli. Continuous monitoring of ESBL producing strains is warranted, possibly with the inclusion of ESBL selective media or other methods of identification in routine AST, especially in case of E. coli strains isolated from suckling piglets.

Livestock-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) strains of clonal complex (CC) 398 are widely disseminated in pigs and are considered emerging pathogens in human medicine. To investigate the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of the pathogen in pig production settings, dust samples were collected from 40 pig operations in Hungary, along with nasal swabs of attending veterinarians and other swine professionals (n = 27) in 2019. MRSA isolates were further characterized by performing whole-genome sequencing and susceptibility testing. The whole-genome sequences of 14 human-derived LA-MRSA clinical isolates from the same year were also included in the study. The proportion of positive farms was 83% (33/40), and 70% (19/27) of the swine professionals carried the pathogen. All but one MRSA strain belonged to CC398, including the human clinical isolates. The core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed clusters of closely-related isolates of both environmental and human origin with a pairwise allelic distance of ≤24, and both cgMLST and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses suggest recent transmission events between the farm environment and humans. Four human clinical isolates harboured the immune-evasion gene cluster, of which one was considered to be closely related to farm isolates. Half of the swine-related strains showed decreased susceptibility to eight or more antimicrobials, and along with human isolates, they carried eight different types of multidrug-resistance genes, including cfr. The results showed a dramatic increase in the occurrence of LA-MRSA in the swine industry in Hungary, compared with the 2% prevalence reported by the European Food Safety Authority baseline study in 2008. The wide range of antimicrobial resistance of the strains, accompanied by the emergence of the pathogen in humans - both asymptomatic carriers and diseased - call for revision of the risk posed by LA-MRSA to the public health.

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is an emerging pathogen that has been reported worldwide in all ages of healthy and clinically ill pigs. The presence of this virus in Hungary has been confirmed in a commercial farm experiencing reproductive failures, but there were no data on the circulation of PCV3 in the country. Here we report the prevalence and the genetic diversity of PCV3 in Hungarian herds. To estimate the prevalence, 1855 serum samples, 176 oral fluid and 97 processing fluid samples were collected in a systematic, cross-sectional method from 20 large scale swineherds and tested by real-time qPCR. PCV3 was present in at least one type of diagnostic matrix in 19 out of the 20 (95%) pig farms. The highest detection rates were observed in the processing fluid samples (61%), but 41% of the oral fluid and 23% of the serum samples were positive. The virus was found in all age groups, and slightly more adult animals were infected than growing pigs, but the viral burden was lower amongst them. Phylogenetic analysis of nine complete genomes, obtained from either the sampled herds or organ samples of PCV3-positive carcasses, showed high nucleotide identity between the detected sequences, which all belonged to the PCV3a genotype. Our results indicate that PCV3 is widespread in Hungary, but in most cases, the virus seems to circulate subclinically, infecting all age groups and production phases without the presence of apparent clinical disease.