Virome of post-weaned diarrhoeic pigs and healthy cohorts in England.
Dastjerdi A, Davies H, Abu Oun M, Navickaite I, Karuna S
Gut Microbiome
PubMedUnderstanding what makes pigs sick after weaning directly affects the pork and animal feed industries, which in turn influence the crops grown to feed livestock and the agricultural land use patterns that shape rural landscapes.
Scientists looked at the tiny viruses living inside the digestive systems of young pigs that had diarrhea compared to healthy pigs of the same age. They found a surprisingly large variety of viruses in both sick and healthy pigs — including many of the same ones — and couldn't pin the illness on any single virus. This suggests pig gut disease after weaning is complicated and likely involves the interaction of many microbes, not just one bad actor.
Key Findings
At least 14 different virus types from 10 or more virus families were identified in both diarrhea-affected and healthy piglets, including astrovirus, rotavirus, and parvovirus.
Four viruses (astrovirus, enterovirus, kobuvirus, and smacovirus) were found in 100% of all samples — both sick and healthy pigs — making them unlikely sole causes of disease.
Several viruses (including astro-, entero-, sapelo-, sapo-, posa-, adeno-, and toro-viruses) showed higher levels in sick pigs, but the differences were not statistically significant.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers analyzed the viruses present in the guts of diarrhea-affected and healthy piglets in England, finding a surprisingly complex mix of at least 14 virus types in both sick and healthy animals — with no clear single viral culprit responsible for the illness.
Abstract Preview
Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a disease syndrome that negatively impacts pig health, welfare and productivity. PWD typically occurs within two weeks of weaning and coincides with significant phys...
open_in_new Read full abstract on PubMedAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Was this useful?
Shared Plant-human Biology: Herbicide Effects and New Biomarkers Perspectives.
Herbicides sprayed on your lawn, your food crops, and your local park may be quietly disrupting the same biological machinery in your body — and in the gut b...