Related Experiment Videos
Group A rotavirus excretion patterns in naturally infected pigs
1Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Research in Veterinary Science
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Group A rotavirus is commonly excreted by pigs, particularly around five weeks old. While most infected piglets shed the virus, diarrhea is not always present.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Swine Health
- Animal Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Group A rotavirus is a significant pathogen in swine.
- Understanding rotavirus excretion patterns is crucial for disease control in piggery operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the excretion patterns of group A rotavirus in pigs.
- To determine the prevalence and age-related shedding of rotavirus in a piggery setting.
Main Methods:
- Conducted cross-sectional and cohort studies in a piggery.
- Collected and analyzed fecal samples from pigs of various ages.
- Monitored daily fecal shedding in a cohort of piglets from birth to two months.
Main Results:
- 9% of 521 pigs sampled were excreting rotavirus.
- Rotavirus was not detected in pigs under one week or over two months old.
- Prevalence peaked at five weeks; 17% of rotavirus-excreting pigs showed diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Group A rotavirus shedding is common in young pigs, with peak prevalence around five weeks of age.
- The duration of excretion averaged 7.4 days per piglet, with diarrhea occurring in some but not all infected animals.