Porcine group A rotaviruses with heterogeneous VP7 and VP4 genotype combinations can be found together with enteric bacteria on Belgian swine farms.
Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are an important cause of diarrhea in young piglets, resulting in significant economic losses. However, the role of RVA in the etiology of piglet diarrhea on Belgian swine farms was previously unreported. In the present study, different techniques, including fast antigen detection tests, virus isolation, RT-PCR and RT-qPCR have been applied for detection of RVA in diarrheic (n=28) and asymptomatic (n=6) fecal samples collected on Belgian pig farms. RT-qPCR was shown to be most sensitive. Routine bacteriological analysis of the fecal samples showed that most diarrheic RVA positive samples were also co-infected with one or more bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella sp. and/or Brachyspira sp. Further genetic characterization of the VP7 and VP4 genes of 26 RVA strains resulted in the detection of six different G-genotypes (G2, G3, G4, G5, G9 and G11), and five different P-genotypes (P[6], P[7], P[13], P[23], P[27]), in a total of 12 different G/P combinations. A large intra-genotypic diversity was also apparent. In conclusion, results of the present study help us better understand the role of RVA in the pathogenesis of piglet diarrhea, and provide better insights into the vast genetic diversity present among circulating porcine group A rotaviruses.
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Sebastiaan
S
Theuns
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Lowiese M B
LM
Desmarets
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroederstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Elisabeth
E
Heylen
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroederstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Mark
M
Zeller
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Annelike
A
Dedeurwaerder
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Inge D M
ID
Roukaerts
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroederstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Marc
M
Van Ranst
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroederstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Jelle
J
Matthijnssens
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: Hans.Nauwynck@UGent.be.
Hans J
HJ
Nauwynck
D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology*
Co-infections; Diagnosis; Genotype; Porcine rotavirus; VP4; VP7