Rotavirus as a cause of diarrhea in pigs
Bohl, E.H.; Kohler, E.M.; Saif, L.J.; Cross, R.F.; Agnes, A.G.; Theil, K.W.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 172(4): 458-463
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 203565 Document Number: 137676
A rotavirus (reovirus-like agent) was associated with diarrhoeal diseases occurring among unweaned piglets 1-4 weeks old in eight herds and in weaned pigs in two herds. Transmissible gastroenteritis virus was also detected in two of these herds, as was enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in five herds. Morbidity was generally greater than 80% in pigs of the affected age group within these herds, and mortality from diarrhoea ranged from 7-20%. The disease in suckling pigs appeared similar to the syndrome commonly referred to as milk scours, white scours, or three-week scours. Diarrhoea and villous atrophy, resembling that seen in transmissible gastroenteritis, occurred in naturally infected pigs and in gnotobiotic pigs experimentally infected with rotavirus. A massive infection of enterocytes with rotavirus was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. The apparent rarity of clinical rotaviral infections in suckling pigs less than seven days old is probably due to the acquisition of passive immunity from immune sows.