Identification of parvovirus-like virus particles in intestinal crypt epithelial cells of pigs with diarrhea.

8and in Japan. 16 This communication presents morphologic evidence of a naturally occurring enteric infection of a nursing piglet by a parvovirus-like virus. In August 1988, specimens from 2 15-day-old nursing piglets from a 400-sow breeding herd located in northeast Nebraska were submitted by a local veterinarian to the Veterinary Diagnostic Center for laboratory examination. During the previous month, diarrhea had occurred in piglets 7-10 days of age, and morbidity and mortality were approximately 40% and 30%, respectively. Treatment had consisted of supportive oral fluid and antibiotic therapy. Pregnant animals had been vaccinated with a commercial product for prevention of swine colibacillosis and clostridial and rotavirus enteritis. Clinical signs of diarrhea and dehydration were seen in 1 piglet, and nervous signs and pneumonia were observed in the other. The 2 piglets were euthanized, and samples of heart, lung, liver, small intestine, spleen, and kidney were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Samples of heart and small intestine were also submitted chilled on ice for diagnostic examination. Histopathologic examination of hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of small intestine revealed severe diffuse necrosis of the cells of the crypts of Leberkuhn with collapse of the lamina propria and denudation of intestinal