05/19/2015
RESEARCHERS ID NOVEL VIRUS IN U.S. PIGLETS AFFECTED BY DIARRHEA EPIDEMIC
Since May 2013, the U.S. swine industry has been hit hard by diarrhea outbreaks, which have caused significant economic losses including the recorded deaths of at least 8 million piglets. Although two different viruses -- porcine epidemic diarrhea coronavirus and delta coronavirus -- already have been isolated from affected swine, disease has been reported in 32 American states as well as Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, Canada, Columbia, Ecuador and Ukraine, with repeated outbreaks in previously affected herds. Despite strict, intensive biosecurity measures adopted by many farms to control the epidemics, disease has continued to spread.
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?They gave us samples and lo and behold, we found a novel virus,? said Subbiah, an associate professor of virology.
They found this virus, mammalian orthoreovirus 3 (MRV3), not only in fecal matter but also in samples of ring-dried swine blood meal, a protein source used in pig feed. They published their findings this week in mBio.
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Although MRVs don?t commonly cause severe disease outbreaks in livestock, related disease-causing strains have been isolated from pigs in China and Korea, said Meng, university distinguished professor of molecular virology. This is the first time it has been identified in the United States, he said. MRV3 strains also have been reported in bats in Europe.
Continuing studies are necessary to determine how the virus originated; how prevalent it is; if it is a pathogen or an opportunistic infection; and if additional blood meal lots have been contaminated. For now, Subbiah said, there is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans.
