Identification of atypical rotaviruses in outbreaks of preweaning and postweaning diarrhea in Québec swine herds.

Intestinal contents of diarrheic pigs from 120 outbreaks of diarrhea were examined for the presence of atypical rotaviruses. Pigs involved in these outbreaks were aged two days to five weeks and samples collected over a period of one year originated from different regions of the province of Québec. Samples were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for the presence of viral RNA and genome profiles were compared to those of porcine rotavirus A/OSU, B/Ohio and C/Cowden. Based on electropherotypes both typical (group A) and atypical (groups B and C) rotaviruses were identified. Rotaviruses could be demonstrated in 25.8% of outbreaks and together atypical rotaviruses accounted for 46.7% of rotavirus-positive outbreaks. Other common enteropathogens were often present in conjunction with rotaviruses in the preweaning and postweaning outbreaks studied.