Porcine Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family. It specifically affects pigs and is responsible for causing a highly contagious and often fatal disease known as transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE).
TGEV primarily targets the mucosal lining of the small intestine, resulting in severe gastroenteritis characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss. It can affect pigs of all ages, but newborn piglets are particularly vulnerable, with mortality rates often exceeding 90%. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected feces, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces. It can also be spread through ingestion of contaminated feed or water.
TGEV has a global distribution and poses a significant economic threat to the swine industry due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Prevention and control measures include strict biosecurity protocols, effective vaccination strategies, and proper sanitation practices.
It is worth noting that TGEV is closely related to other coronaviruses, most notably the human coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and the coronavirus associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (SARS-CoV-2). However, TGEV is not known to infect or cause disease in humans.
In summary, Porcine Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) is a highly contagious RNA virus that primarily affects pigs, causing a severe and often fatal gastrointestinal disease.
