Geyer A, Steele A D, Peenze I, Lecatsas G
Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Southern Africa, Medunsa.
J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1994 Dec;65(4):164-6.
Faecal specimens from 1- to 7-week-old piglets (n = 251) with acute diarrhoeal illness were examined by direct negative staining electron microscopy for the presence of viral agents. Rotaviruses were observed in almost 40% of cases while adenoviruses and astroviruses were also observed in 3 specimens each. The majority of the rotaviruses reacted with a commercial Group A rotavirus ELISA although in 11 specimens they did not react with the Group A antigen and could represent atypical rotaviruses. This is the first report of adenoviruses and astroviruses in diarrhoeal faecal specimens from pigs in South Africa.
