ASTROVIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES, ADENOVIRUSES AND ROTAVIRUSES ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA IN PIGLETS

Faecal specimens from 1- to 7-week-old piglets (n = 251) with acute di arrhoeal illness were examined by direct negative staining electron mi croscopy for the presence of viral agents. Rotaviruses were observed i n almost 40% of cases while adenoviruses and astroviruses were also ob served in 3 specimens each. The majority of the rotaviruses reacted wi th a commercial Group A rotavirus ELISA although in 11 specimens they did not react with the Group A antigen and could represent atypical ro taviruses. This is the first report of adenoviruses and astroviruses i n diarrhoeal faecal specimens from pigs in South Africa.