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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #78864
Title: PREVALENCE OF CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODIES IN IOWA SWINE

Author
item Wesley, Ronald
item Woods, Roger
item MCKEAN, JAMES - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item SENN, MICHAELL - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item ELAZHARY, YOUSSEF - UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Many swine herds in the United States and Canada are infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE) and/or porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV). Standard serological tests cannot distinguish between TGEV-specific and PRCV-specific antibodies. We have used a differential serologic test, employing a monoclonal antibody specific for TGEV, to determine if herds in Iowa have been infected with either virus or with both viruses. For 18 of the 22 herds tested, a determination could be made, while the other 4 herds contained antibodies to both viruses. The herd prevalence in Iowa was 100% for TGEV/PRCV antibody. This differential serologic test is a valuable tool for the epidemiology of these viruses and for guidance in the import and export of swine.

Technical Abstract: Serum samples (347) from 22 Iowa swine herds were screened for transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV)/porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) neutralizing antibody. Ninety-one percent of the sera and all 22 herds were positive. These sera were then tested by the blocking ELISA test to distinguish TGEV and PRCV antibody. The ELISA test confirmed the high percentage of TGEV/PRCV positive sera. By the blocking ELISA test, 12 herds were PRCV positive, 6 herds were TGEV positive, and 4 herds were mixed with sera either positive for TGEV or PRCV antibody. The results suggest a recent increase in TGEV/PRCV seroprevalence in Iowa swine most likely due to subclinical PRCV infections.