Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea

 

Causal agent

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea Virus a Coronavirus - RNA virus

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The virus particles are called corona because of their appearance of a sun with the surrounding corona

Other names

PEDV

Age group

Type 1 affects all age groups but not suckling piglets

Type 2 affects all age groups, clinical signs particularly severe in naive piglets but is not TGE virus – another coronavirus.

The disease is reported in Europe and Asia but not in the America’s or Australia

Clinical signs

Acute Naive herd

Explosive outbreak similar to TGE

Mortality  of piglets may reach 80%

Acute watery diarrhoea in piglets

Diarrhoea and vomiting may be seen in all age groups

Problems persist for 4-6 weeks

The condition can occur at any time but is more severe in the winter

Endemic herd

Little or no problem virus progressively dies out

Disease may be more persistent than TGE

PED 1-Nanum(10days old piglet)

PED1-2004(sow's diahrrea)

 

PED

Piglets with PEDV

Sow diarrhoea with PED

Dilated small intestine

Incubation period

Pathological findings can be seen in 12 hours. Infection can take up to 5 days

Transmission

Transmission is via the faecal oral route

Role of formites is very important

Mechanism of persistence is not known

Post-mortem Lesions

Lesions are mainly in the jejunum and ileum.  The duodenum is less affected.  The lesions are villus atrophy.  The pH of the intestine changes to acidic.  In Esherichia coli infections the pH becomes more alkaline


 

Diagnosis

The virus is distinct from TGE and PRC

Immunohistochemistry of the infected intestines

Antibody tests useful, but virus and antibodies may be present without clinical signs

Treatment and control

Treatment

No specific treatment

Provide supportive electrolytes for affected piglets.  Piglets may require supportive therapy for 2 weeks, until intestinal tract heals

Ensure all piglets get colostrum

As the virus does not spread rapidly around the farm, attempt to isolate the next 3 weeks worth of farrowing sows

In an outbreak

Feedback farrowing house diarrhoea and gut materials from infected piglets to sows from breeding to 3 weeks pre-farrowing.  Ensure gilts in isolation receive this material as well

Stop introduction of new animals into the herd for 6 weeks

Control

Ensure gilts receive feed back

Good biosecurity and practice all-in/all-out

Purchase gilts and boars from known negative herds

Elimination protocols

Common differentials

Transmissible Gastroenteritis.  Salmonellosis