Abstract
We studied a specific viral gastroenteritis (TGE) in piglets in order to explore the pathogenesis of acute infectious diarrhea. We compared 23–26 day old piglets infected orally with TGE virus, with pair fed non-infected litter mates. Infected pigs lost weight; fecal weight, Na+, K+ and Cl- excretion increased significantly; fat excretion did not increase. Serum concentrations of Na+, K+ and Cl-, Mg++ and Ca++ did not differ between groups. After 40 hours the pigs were killed. Although a mucosal lesion characterized by diffuse villous and epithelial cell damage occurred in some infected pigs, the groups did not differ significantly with respect to actual villous dimensions. In infected pigs the following changes in specific enzyme activity occurred: Na+-K+-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase decreased significantly in proximal jejunum only; alkaline phosphatase decreased in proximal and mid-jejunum; sucrase decreased in mid-jejunum and ileum. There was no change in activity of any of these enzymes in proximal or distal colon. Mucosal protein content was the same in both groups. Our results suggest a relationship between proximal intestinal Ma+-K+-ATPase activity and the diarrhea of acute viral enteritis.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kelly, M., Butler, D. & Hamilton, J. Transmissible gastroenteritis in piglets (TGE). A model for study of acute viral diarrhea. Pediatr Res 5, 389 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00076
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00076