RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF PORCINE EPIDEMIC DIARRHEA VIRUS-INFECTION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The diagnosis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection in t he laboratory is rather fastidious because of difficulties in virus pr opagation. The feasibility of virus propagation in vivo is also limite d by the handling of a number of samples at the same time. In this stu dy, the detection of PEDV by reverse transcription polymerase chain re action (RT-PCR) is described. The RT-PCR could detect up to 10(4) TCID 50/ml of PEDV and did not show any cross reaction with transmissible g astroenteritis virus or porcine rotavirus. Using this method, the dete ction of PEDV in experimentally inoculated piglets was possible as ear ly as one day after inoculation. These results suggest that the RT-PCR could be applicable for a rapid diagnosis of PEDV infection.