Rotaviruses (Pigs/Piglets)

Rotaviruses are non-enveloped RNA viruses; they are ubiquitous, and nearly every adult pig has had a rotavirus infection, resulting in the production of corresponding antibodies. They are among the most significant pathogens in young animals, are not highly host-specific, and remain infectious for a long time both in the external environment and within pigsties. After oral ingestion, the viruses invade the intestinal cells (enteroocytes) and disrupt their absorptive function. Individual rotavirus infections are often subclinical, with no apparent impact on general well-being. These subclinical carriers serve as a source of infection for other animals.

The so-called “2-week diarrhea” in piglets occurs between the 10th and 21st day of life. It is characterized by low feed intake, occasional vomiting, and mild diarrhea. Rapid spread of the infection occurs, during which morbidity (incidence rate) reaches 100% and mortality (death rate) reaches 50%. This form of the disease usually occurs in piglets as antibody levels in sow’s milk decline during the second to third week of life.

However, in cases of mixed infections with other diarrhea-causing pathogens, worm infestations, pre-existing underlying diseases, poor pen hygiene, and insufficient colostrum supply to the piglets, diarrhea outbreaks can result in severe diarrhea, significant losses due to mortality, and stunted growth. Therefore, motherless rearing is particularly problematic.

Rotaviruses are non-enveloped RNA viruses; in pigs, Group A is clinically the most significant, although Groups B and C also occur. They replicate in the mature, absorptive enterocytes of the small intestinal villi and, by causing villous atrophy, lead to a reduced absorptive surface area and malabsorptive diarrhea.

Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route; the viruses remain infectious in the barn environment and the outside world for extended periods. Clinically asymptomatic adult animals shed the virus, thereby maintaining the infection pressure within the herd. Rotaviruses are among the most common viral causes of diarrhea in piglet rearing; the peak of the disease typically occurs around the second to third week of life, when the level of maternal antibodies in sow’s milk declines.

It is not possible to determine the etiology based solely on the clinical picture, as the clinical courses of the diarrhea-causing pathogens overlap and mixed infections are common. Detecting antigens in fresh feces from several affected animals narrows down the spectrum of pathogens and supports targeted therapeutic, hygiene, and herd management measures.

The Fassisi® PiDia and PiDia light tests detect rotavirus antigen in the feces of young animals (piglets, lambs, calves). PiDia also detects Clostridium perfringens and Cryptosporidium parvum, while PiDia Light detects rotavirus and Clostridium perfringens; this allows for the differentiation of single and mixed infections from a single sample.

The technical information is documented on the sources page.