Study Finds Pig Coronavirus Antibodies in Humans

Researchers detected antibodies against porcine deltacoronavirus in a small share of human serum samples, most from young swine exhibitors.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diseases — General

Isometric editorial illustration of a neat row of clear sample vials in a plain laboratory rack, evoking human testing for a pig virus. — Researchers found antibodies against pig coronavirus PDCoV in 10 of 300 human blood samples, nine from young swine exhibitors who had frequent contact with pigs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A study of 300 human serum samples found PDCoV-neutralizing antibodies in 10 of them, with nine of the ten positives coming from juvenile swine exhibitors who had frequent contact with pigs. The samples were collected between 2019 and 2021.

Why it matters

The findings suggest the virus, which is globally distributed among swine, may have spilled over to people in the United States, particularly those in close contact with pigs. Whether the spillover poses a human health threat remains unclear.

In a screen of 300 human serum samples, 9 of 100 juvenile swine exhibitors (9.0%) tested positive versus 1 of 200 adults (0.5%), an odds ratio of 19.7. All ten positive samples neutralized PDCoV at titers of 1:80 to 1:320, and the study does not establish how far spillover extends beyond the sampled groups.

The details

Researchers screened commercially acquired adult serum and serum from juvenile swine exhibitors using a whole-virion ELISA, then confirmed positives by virus neutralization testing. Positive juvenile samples came from Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio and Georgia, while the single positive adult sample came from a 42-year-old Hispanic female blood donor.

Juvenile exhibitor samples were collected at agricultural exhibitions between 2019 and 2021.
Five positive juvenile samples were identified in 2020.
Adult serum samples were collected in 2021, along with four additional positive juvenile samples.

Big Picture

Prior reports of PDCoV infection in children in Haiti suggested human exposure had occurred before, and this U.S. serologic study extends that pattern to American swine-exposed populations. Together, the two lines of evidence point to a virus that may cross into people more often than routine surveillance has captured.

Most people are unlikely to be affected at this stage, since the study found antibodies in only a small share of samples. Those who work closely with pigs, such as swine exhibitors, may want to ask local agricultural or health officials about recommended hygiene practices.

The takeaway

The study shows that exposure to pig viruses may reach people who handle livestock, even though infection appears uncommon. Continued serologic and virologic surveillance will be needed to know whether PDCoV becomes a concern for human health.