Transmissible gastroenteritis in pigs: some observations on laboratory aids to diagnosis

Thirty seven piglets with transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and 41 with other enteric diseases were examined for evidence of villous atrophy and reduced lactase activity. Widespread villous atrophy appeared indicative of TGE whereas normal lactase activity tended to exclude this possibility. However, both tests are far from specific and neither is recommended to practitioners as an aid to clinical diagnosis.