Unusual outbreak of post-weaning porcine diarrhea caused by single and mixed infections of rotavirus groups A, B, C, and H.
Rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of severe diarrhea in humans and animals. Five of the nine RV groups (RVA, RVB, RVC, RVE, and RVH) have been previously detected in pigs; however, in pig herds worldwide, most studies highlight diarrhea outbreaks caused by RVA. In the present study, we describe detection and characterization of RV groups A, B, C, and H in fecal samples from pigs with single and mixed infections during a post-weaning diarrhea outbreak. The outbreak occurred in a single pig herd routinely vaccinated with an inactivated commercial vaccine for neonatal diarrhea control that included the RVA OSU (G5P[7]) strain. RVC (78%) was the most prevalent group found in single (34%) and mixed (44%) infections, followed by RVA (46%), RVB (32%), and RVH (18%). Phylogenetic analysis of three RVA strains allowed the characterization of two distinct G/P genotypes represented by G5P[13] and G9P[23], different from G5P[7] found in vaccines. Regardless of the RV group, mixed infections (54%) were more prevalent than single infections. Detection of RVB or RVH was associated with the presence of other RV groups, suggesting a secondary action of these RV groups in the reported outbreak. The detection of RV groups B, C, and H in the same pig herd suggests that these RVs act as causative agents of diarrhea and should be included in the diagnostic tests of porcine enteric diseases. These data provide new epidemiological information on RV diversity that need to be addressed in future studies for a better understanding and prevention of RV infections.
Laboratory of Animal Virology, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; Laboratory of Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, Faculdade Ingá, Unidade de Ensino Superior Ingá-UNINGÁ, Maringá, Parana, Brazil.
Bruna Letícia Domingues
BL
Molinari
Laboratory of Animal Virology, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
Flávia
F
Possatti
Laboratory of Animal Virology, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; Multi-User Animal Health Laboratory-Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
Elis
E
Lorenzetti
Laboratory of Animal Virology, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; Multi-User Animal Health Laboratory-Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil.
Alice Fernandes
AF
Alfieri
Laboratory of Animal Virology, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil; Multi-User Animal Health Laboratory-Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil. Electronic address: alfieri@uel.br.
Amauri Alcindo
AA
Alfieri
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014886:Weaning
Diarrhea; Enteric viruses; Outbreak; Pigs; RVH; Rotavirus mix infection