ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATION OF POR CINE EPIDEMIC DIARRHEA IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Coronavirus-induced porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) was diagnosed in two swine herds. The causal agent was demonstrated in intestinal conte nts by electron microscopy and identified by immunoelectron microscopy using specific immune serum to the reference strain PED-CV77. Experim ental transmission to hysterectomy-derived, colostrum-deprived piglets with an intestinal contents filtrate was successful. The virus was de monstrable by electron microscopy in the intestinal contents between 1 2th hour and 4th day, and in small intestinal epithelial cells 18 hour s after infection. Scanning electron microscopy revealed shortening an d fusion of villi of small intestinal mucosa.