Sequential pathological study of experimental porcine adenovirus enteritis

The sequential enteric lesions of experimental porcine adenovirus strain 6618 infection were studied in 18 hysterotomy-derived, colostrum-deprived piglets, by histology, transmission electron microscopy, and an immunoperoxidase technique. Viral particles could be seen in altered epithelial cells of the lower small intestine from 24 hours until 16 days after inoculation. With the immunoperoxidase technique, viral antigen could be found in epithelial cells at 45 days after challenge. Destruction of epithelial cells and shortening of villi could be related directly to the presence of the virus. Histology of the lower jejunum and ileum, which demonstrates intranuclear inclusion bodies, is proposed as a useful diagnostic technique.