Congenital tremor in piglets: is bovine viral diarrhea virus an etiological cause?

Author(s)

Marina Lopes Mechler

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2018-02-20.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2018-02-02
• Advisor: Luis Guilherme de Oliveira

Abstract

Congenital tremor in pigs has several etiologies, including pestiviruses. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the etiological agents of this disease. Ten pregnant gilts were inoculated with BVDV-2 in two different experimental models, the first being the oronasal inoculation of the females (group 1; n=4), and the second was the intrauterine fetal inoculation (group 2; n=4). The third group (group 3; n=2) constituted the control group. Gilts and fetuses were challenged at 45 days of gestation with strain BVDV-2 SV 280. Blood samples were collected from all piglets born to obtain whole blood and serum for determination of antibody titers by virus neutralization (VN) and detection of viral RNA by the RT-PCR technique. One third of the neonates were euthanized at the third day of age, and fragments of brain, cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord were collected for anatomopathological and RT-PCR evaluation. The piglets that remained alive were clinically evaluated every day, and blood samples were collected periodically for 35 days, which were submitted to serology (VN) and RT-PCR. The piglets of both groups showed no clinical neurological signs and were born without virus in the blood and organs. Group 1 piglets did not present antibodies against BVDV-2 at birth, which were acquired by passive maternal transfer. In contrast, Group 2 piglets were born with high antibody titers against the agent, which remained high until the end of the experimental period. Microscopically, no noticeable changes were observed. Macroscopically, it was observed that 29.5% of the total piglets slaughtered from the infected groups were born with a low ratio between brain and cerebellum, which may be indicative of cerebellar hypoplasia. Thus, it was concluded that BVDV does not appear to be an etiological agent for congenital pig tremor. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/02982-3 - Congenital myoclonus in swine: is the bovine viral diarrhea virus an etiologic agent?
• Grantee: Marina Lopes Mechler Dreibi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master