Recipient Organization
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
2229 Lincoln Way
AMES,IA 50011
Performing Department
Veterinary Medicine
Non Technical Summary
Recent evidence suggests that porcine astroviruses (PAstV) are prevalent in the Chinese and European pig population and associated with enteric disease. Diagnostic tests are not available or utilized routinely in the U.S. and therefore the prevalence of PAstV in the U.S. pig population is unknown. As a first step, we will investigate the prevalence of PAstV in the U.S. pig population by screening fecal samples from routine swine submissions with and without a history of enteric disease. Selected PCR positive samples with be utilized to conduct virus isolation. If successful, the PoAstV stock will be used to experimentally infect colostrum-deprived pigs. Investigating the prevalence in diseased and non-diseased pigs in the U.S. is an important first step towards understanding the impact of this virus on U.S. pork production.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of this study are: I. To validate a multiplex real-time PCR for PAstV with the ability to further differentiate between subtypes which will be used to investigate the prevalence of PAstV in postweaning diarrhea cases in the U.S. II. To propagate PAstV in cell culture or via pig passage and experimentally infect colostrum-deprived pigs via stomach tube to investigate the pathogenicity of PoAstV in pigs.
Project Methods
A. Screening the U.S. pig population for prevalence of PAstV in nursery pigs with and without enteric disease. Fecal samples from routine swine submissions to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University will be used. At least 500 intestinal samples will be tested and it will be determined if PAstV is present. B. Isolation of selected PAstV. After determining the prevalence of the PoAstV subtypes, we will attempt isolation of the most prevalent subtype on selected PCR positive samples. Virus isolation will be conducted on PK-15 cells All isolated viruses will be grown to higher titers at low passage. Virus stock will be stored at -80. C. Experimental infection of pigs with diverse PAstV. Experimental PAstV infection will be done using colostrum-deprived pigs from a high health herd negative for known enteric swine pathogens based on repeated PCR and no clinical history of diarrhea. If PAstV isolation is not successful, we will use PAstV PCR positive fecal samples that are negative for other known swine enteric pathogens for the challenge.