Transmissible gastroenteritis of swine : intestinal and hepatic lesions attributed to changes in and mobilization of enteric microflora

The rôle of the enteric microflora in the pathogenesis of intestinal and hepatic lesions during experimental transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus infection in piglets was studied. In the small intestine, as early as 48 hours, an overgrowth of E. coli and clostridia along with a reduction of yeasts and Bacteroides were observed. The severe hepatic lesions (detected in colostrum-deprived piglets) seemed to be dependent on the invasion of enteric bacteria which were also detected in other internal tissues and organs.