USE OF IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUES FOR LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSIBLE GASTROENTERITIS OF SWINE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (4) , 385-391
Abstract
Over a 4 yr period, 74 of 250 field outbreaks of enteric disease (30%) and 110 of 440 swine (25%) were positive for transmissible gastroenteritis by immunofluorescence procedures. Of 141 swine from herds positive for transmissible gastroenteritis, 110 (78%) were positive by fluorescent antibody techniques. The fastest, easiest and most effective procedure was the examination of frozen sections of the jejunum from acutely ill animals by the fluorescent antibody tissue section technique. Only 2 herds were positive by the fluorescent antibody tissue culture technique which were negative by fluorescent antibody tissue section technique. A considerable number of outbreaks, 21 of 74 (28%), of transmissible gastroenteritis were detected by immunofluorescence in swine over 2 wk of age. The majority of outbreaks of transmissible gastroenteritis, 50 of 74 (68%) occurred in Missouri, USA during the months of Jan. through April and 63 of 74 (85%) during the months of Dec. through May. The recurrence of the disease in a number of counties over a 4 yr period suggests the possibility of endemic foci.