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The Pathogenesis and Characterization of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) and Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PdCV) in Neonatal Gnotobiotic Swine

We have determined the virulence of PdCV CVM1 in gnotobiotic (Gn) piglets. Five 19 day old Gn piglets were randomly divided into two groups. Two piglets in group 1 served as uninfected controls. The three piglets in group 2 were infected with PdCV. Prior to oral challenge, pre-inoculation fecal and oronasal swabs and blood for serum were collected for virus detection from the three piglets of group 2. The three piglets in group 2 were orally challenged with 5.0 ml of filter-sterilized intestinal contents (106 genomic RNA copies of PdCV Ohio CVM1). The two piglets in group 1 were challenged with 5 ml of filter-sterilized intestinal contents from normal piglets, negative for above mentioned porcine enteric viruses. After virus challenge, the piglets were observed and evaluated daily for body weight and temperature changes, and clinical signs of PdCV infection. Daily rectal mucosal/fecal swabs were collected from each piglet for virus detection. At day 3 post-challenge, intestinal contents from the duodenum, proximal jejunum, ileum, transverse colon, spiral colon and descending colon were collected from each pig for viral RNA analysis and histological examination. Within 20 h post-infection, a profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration was observed. Clinical signs were associated with epithelial necrosis in small intestine, resulted in severe villous atrophy. High levels of RNA (9-11 log RNA copies/g) were detected in intestinal tissues/luminal contents and feces of infected piglets. These results demonstrated that PdCV caused severe gastrointestinal disease in swine.

This research update can be found at http://www.pork.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Oglesbee-14-188-main.pdf