Yet again we see evidence of dangerous co-infections in pigs. The combination of Hepatitis E and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRSV) is very worrying.
PRRSV is common in pigs worldwide, often associated with Porcine Circovirus, and we know that Hepatitis E in association with pig farmers and indeed pork itself can cause very serious human illness.
Seemingly endless investigations by the human health authorities in England continue.
Researchers will find many references here to Hepatitis E and pigs - 22 at the last count. Please use the search box above for details.
The provisional abstract can be found on the Virology Journal site
here
One case of swine
hepatitis E virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Co-infection in weaned pigs
Jingjing Mao, Yue
Zhao, Ruiping She, Peng
Xiao, Jijing Tian and Jian Chen
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Virology Journal 2013, 10:341 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-10-341
Published: 19 November 2013
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Using various methods, we analyzed the cause of death among weaned
pigs from a pig farm in Hebei Province, China. All 300 piglets (100% fatality)
were identified as moribund, with death occurring within 1 month from the onset
of clinical signs.
Results
A single case exhibited obvious hemorrhagic necrotic changes with
massive lymphocytic infiltration in multiple organs, in particular the liver,
lungs and intestines. Dysplasia and lymphocyte deterioration were common in
lymphatic organs. No visible bacterial colonies from liver and spleen were
observed in nutrient, MacConkey, and blood agar plates. Using polymerase chain
reaction techniques for this case, we attempted to detect a number of epidemic
swine viruses in spleen and liver, including PRRSV, CSF, HEV, and PCV2. We
found that this sample was positive for the presence of HEV and PRRSV.
Conclusions
We have detected HEV and PRRSV co-infection in one piglet. Severe
pathologic changes were observed. The high mortality of weaned pigs which
showed the similar clinical syptom was possibly a result of HEV and PRRSV
co-infection, which has rarely been reported previously. We speculated that
co-infection with PRRSV and HEV might lead to more serious problems.
