Experimental Bacterial and Viral Diarrhea (Experimental Viral Diarrhea in Pigs).
Abstract
This investigation was undertaken to develop a system by which one could induce viral and/or bacterial diarrhea in pigs at will, and study the physiological and morphological changes induced by the pathogen preceeding overt signs of diarrhea. A strain of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE) obtained from Purdue Univ. induces diarrhea in young (5 to 15 day old) pigs within 48 hrs. after oral administration. To study the earliest stages of infection, TGE virus was introduced directly into an intestinal loop in situ, and allowed to remain there from 2 to 24 hrs. before the animals were sacrificed. Histological studies of samples taken from a loop 2 hrs. after infection revealed a dilation of the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum of the apical cytoplasm. Disaccharidase activity in homogenates of intestinal mucosa from control and infected pigs was studied. All enzymes were greatly reduced at 24 to 48 hrs. after oral infection. Lactase activity was reduced to less than 25% of control levels. Jejunum was the region of the digestive tract where reduction in enzyme levels was greatest. Colonic mucosa exhibited very low enzymatic activity in control animals. Results of Lactose Tolerance Tests performed on control and TGE infected pigs suggest that lactose absorption is markedly impaired 48 hrs. after oral infection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA095609
Entities
People
- Luis R. Otero-vilardebo
Organizations
- University of Puerto Rico