Pathology of Experimental CV777 Coronavirus Enteritis in Piglets. II. Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract

Sixteen cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived piglets were infected oronasally with CV777 coronavirus on the second or third day of life. Two uninfected piglets were controls. After an incubation period of 22 hours to 36 hours, all principals showed severe diarrhea. The piglets were killed at different time intervals. Viral particles were found in the jejunal villous epithelial cells from 18 hours after infection until four days after the beginning of diarrhea. In the colonic epithelial cells, viral particles and degenerative lesions were found only in the piglet killed 36 hours after onset of diarrhea.