Role of maternally derived circulating antibodies in protection of neonatal swine against porcine group A rotavirus.
The ability of maternally derived antibodies in the circulation of neonatal pigs to protect against challenge with virulent porcine group A rotavirus (OSU strain) was evaluated. Groups of neonatal pigs with nondetectable (group 1), low (group 2), or high (group 3) serum levels of OSU rotavirus-specific maternally derived antibodies were challenged with virulent OSU rotavirus at 3 days of age and monitored for infection and disease. Control pigs were sham-inoculated with diluent at 3 days of age. Although all virus-inoculated pigs shed rotavirus and developed diarrhea, group 3 pigs developed significantly less severe diarrhea and shed for significantly fewer days than group 1 and 2 pigs, and they maintained appetites and weight gains comparable to sham-inoculated controls. It was concluded that circulating maternally derived antibodies play a significant role in mitigating clinical disease following rotavirus infection in neonatal swine and that the protection afforded by these antibodies is titer dependent.
Ward
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LA
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99614-7040, USA.
Rich
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Besser
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D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000662:veterinary*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000821:virology; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G