High interferon titer in newborn pig intestine during experimentally induced viral enteritis

We looked for the presence of interferon in the digestive tract of newborn piglets infected with a virulent strain of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (Coronaviridae). High levels of type 1 interferon activity were found early in the disease in jejunal and ileal parts of the intestine as well as in the serum. Enterocytes appeared to be involved in the interferon synthesis. These findings raise the question of the role of interferon in the pathogenesis of viral enteritis.