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Quantitative transmissible gastroenteritis virus shedding patterns in lactating sows.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|March 1, 1977
Summary
Sows play a significant role in spreading transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE). Infected sows shed the TGE virus through milk, nasal secretions, and feces, leading to high morbidity and mortality in piglets.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Swine Health
- Disease Transmission
Background:
- Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine.
- Understanding sow shedding patterns is crucial for controlling TGE outbreaks.
- Previous research has focused on piglet susceptibility, with less emphasis on sow-to-piglet transmission dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of sows in the transmission of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) to their offspring.
- To evaluate different inoculation routes (intravenous, intranasal, intramammary) in sows and their impact on virus shedding and antibody production.
- To compare disease outcomes in piglets exposed to TGE virus via contaminated milk versus direct contact with infected sows.
Main Methods:
- Eleven sows were inoculated with virulent TGE virus via intravenous, intranasal, or intramammary routes within 5 days of farrowing.
- Sows were either separated from or allowed to nurse their litters.
- Virus shedding was monitored through milk, nasal secretions, and feces. Piglets were exposed through milk or direct nursing, and disease incidence and mortality were recorded. Antibody levels were measured.
Main Results:
- All inoculated sows exhibited clinical signs of TGE, including anorexia, depression, and fever.
- Sows shed TGE virus in milk, nasal secretions, and feces, with variations in shedding intensity and duration.
- Piglets fed milk from infected sows had a 47.5% morbidity rate, while piglets nursed by infected sows experienced 100% morbidity and 67.4% mortality.
- Intramammary inoculation resulted in significantly higher TGE virus-neutralizing antibody levels in sows compared to intravenous or intranasal routes.
Conclusions:
- Sows are a significant source of TGE virus transmission to piglets, primarily through milk and direct contact.
- The route of sow inoculation influences the level of virus shedding and subsequent piglet disease severity.
- Intramammary inoculation may elicit a stronger humoral immune response in sows, potentially impacting virus shedding and transmission.