Porcine respiratory coronavirus (Porcine respiratory coronavirus infection)
Porcine respiratory coronavirus is usually not of clinical importance, but seems to produce antibodies that protect against viral transmissible gastroenteritis.
Description
This infection appeared for the first time a decade ago in Europe. The porcine respiratory coronavirus is related, although different, with transmissible gastroenteritis virus, which also belongs to the family of the coronaviruses. It is believed that due to airborne transmission between farms, it is very difficult to keep farms free of the virus. Often, the infection occurs in lactating piglets at 2-3 weeks of age, although not significant. When other respiratory pathogens are present in chronic respiratory complexes, it can have an effect in lung tissue.
Symptoms
All ages
- Typically it does not produce symptoms.
- It may be associated with cough in the presence of other respiratory pathogens.
Causes / Contributing Factors
- Field-level observations indicate that the virus travels long distances with the wind.
- It is spread through the respiratory tract.
Diagnosis
The coronavirus infection has cross reaction with transmissible gastroenteritis showed in standard serological tests and therefore may confuse the diagnosis. There is a test that distinguishes between the two, but recent results have been positive, indicating a new virus or altered strain transmissible for gastroenteritis.
Control/Prevention
- There is no specific treatment.
- If necessary, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used in feed, or water or injections.
