Case-control study of pathogens involved in piglet diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea in piglets directly affects commercial swine production. The disease results from the interaction of pathogens with the host immune system and is also affected by management procedures. Several pathogenic agents such as Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., group A rotavirus (RV-A), coronaviruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus; porcine epidemic diarrhea virus), as well as nematode and protozoan parasites, can be associated with disease cases. RESULTS: All bacterial, viral, protozoan, and parasitic agents here investigated, with the exception of Salmonella spp. as well as both coronaviruses, were detected in varying proportions in piglet fecal samples, and positive animals were equally distributed between case and control groups. A statistically significant difference between case and control groups was found only for Cystoisospora suis (p = 0.034) and Eimeria spp. (p = 0.047). When co-infections were evaluated, a statistically significant difference was found only for C. perfringens ß2 and C. suis (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pathogens in piglets alone does not determine the occurrence of diarrhea episodes. Thus, the indiscriminate use of antibiotic and anthelminthic medication should be re-evaluated. This study also reinforces the importance of laboratory diagnosis and correct interpretation of results as well as the relevance of control and prophylactic measures.

Whole-genomic analysis of 12 porcine group A rotaviruses isolated from symptomatic piglets in Brazil during the years of 2012-2013.

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are leading causes of viral diarrhea in children and in the young of many animal species, particularly swine. In the current study, porcine RVAs were found in fecal specimens from symptomatic piglets on 4 farms in Brazil during the years of 2012-2013. Using RT-PCR, Sanger nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses, the whole genomes of 12 Brazilian porcine RVA strains were analyzed. Specifically, the full-length open reading frame (ORF) sequences were determined for the NSP2-, NSP3-, and VP6-coding genes, and partial ORF sequences were determined for the VP1-, VP2-, VP3-, VP4-, VP7-, NSP1-, NSP4-, and NSP5/6-coding genes. The results indicate that all 12 strains had an overall porcine-RVA-like backbone with most segments being designated as genotype 1, with the exception of the VP6- and NSP1-coding genes, which were genotypes I5 and A8, respectively. These results add to our growing understanding of porcine RVA genetic diversity and will provide a platform for monitoring the role of animals as genetic reservoirs of emerging human RVAs strains.

Phylogenetic analyses of the VP4 and VP7 genes of porcine group A rotaviruses in Sao Paulo State, Brazil: first identification of G5P[23] in piglets.

This study determined the group A rotavirus occurrence in pig farms from 7 different cities in São Paulo State, Brazil. Out of 143 samples, 70 tested positive. Sequence analyses of 37 strains indicated that the strains had the G3, G5, G9, and P[6], P[13]/P[22]-like, and P[23] genotypes.

Felid herpesvirus 1 as a causative agent of severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis in a domestic cat.

Felid herpesvirus 1 is an important respiratory pathogen of domestic cats. This report presents the first case of severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis caused by this virus in a cat.