Veterinary Microbiology

Assessment of Porcine Rotavirus-associated virome variations in pigs with enteric disease

April 27, 2022

Enteric disease is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in young mammals including pigs. Viral species involved in porcine enteric disease complex (PEDC) include rotaviruses, coronaviruses, picornaviruses, astroviruses and pestiviruses among others. The virome of three groups of swine samples submitted to the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for routine testing were assessed, namely, a Rotavirus A positive (RVA) group, a Rotavirus co-infection (RV) group and a Rotavirus Negative (RV Neg) group. All groups were designated by qRT-PCR results testing for Porcine Rotavirus A, B, C and H such that samples positive for RVA only went in the RVA group, samples positive for >1 rotavirus went in the RV group and samples negative for all were grouped in the RVNeg group. All of the animals had clinical enteric disease resulting in scours and swollen joints/lameness, enlarged heart and/or a cough. All samples were metagenomic sequenced and analyzed for viral species composition that identified 14 viral species and eight bacterial viruses/phages. Sapovirus and Escherichia coli phages were found at a high prevalence in RVA and RV samples but were found at low or no prevalence in the RV Neg samples. Picobirnavirus was identified at a high proportion and prevalence in RV Neg and RV samples but at a low prevalence in the RVA group. A sequence analysis of the possible host of Picobirnaviruses revealed fungi as the most likely host. Non-rotaviral diversity was highest in RVA samples followed by RV then RV Neg samples. Various sequences were extracted from the sample reads and a phylogenetic update was provided showing a high prevalence of G9 and P[23] RVA genotypes. These data are important for pathogen surveillance and control measures