Porcine group A rotavirus (PoRVA) is a major cause of neonatal diarrhea in suckling and recently weaned piglets worldwide. Rota viral diarrhoea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonates of pigs. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection among piglets of organized and unorganized pig farms in Kamrup district of Assam. During the present study 107 diarrheic faecal samples from different pig farms of Kamrup district of Assam were collected. The collected samples were screened for the presence of rotavirus antigen by Immunochromatographic assay and RT-PCR. Of the 107 diarrheic samples, 20 (18.7%) were found to be positive for rotavirus Group A antigen by monoclonal based immunochromatographic assay. All the diarrheic samples found positive for the viral antigen by immunochromatographic assay were also analyzed by RT-PCR and 14 (13.1%) samples were found to be positive. &nbsp;The histopathological studies in the intestinal tissue samples of 12 piglets died of diarrhoea showed atrophy of villous in the small intestine along with sloughing of mucosae. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of intestinal tissues confirmed replication of rotaviruses in the villous enterocytes resulting in villous atrophy. 
&nbsp;

Detection of group a rotavirus and histopathological studies&nbsp;in diarrheic piglets of Kamrup district, Assam

Background: Multidrug resistant strains of Escherichia coli have been causing worldwide outbreaks of food borne diseases in recent years. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli and the occurrence of transmissible drug resistance among the organism has amplified the complications associated with its control and treatment measures. Data associated with the prevalence, virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates are needed to be studied in order to develop an effective control strategy for colibacillosis in piggeries. The goal of the investigation was to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and pathotyping of E. coli isolates from diarrhoeic piglets. 
 
Methods: 102 rectal swab samples were collected from diarrhoeic piglets of ICAR-AICRP/MSP on Pig, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam and from different unorganized farms of the state. These samples were then inoculated in Luria Bertani (LB) broth and incubated aerobically at 37oC for 24 hours followed by sub culturing them in MacConkey&rsquo;s lactose agar (MLA) and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar for purification of the suspected E. coli isolates. The isolates were characterized by biochemical tests and motility tests and were pathotyped based on detection of specific virulence genes by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 
 
Result: Out of 102 rectal swab samples examined, 92 (90.2%) yielded E. coli which included 41 (91.12%) of 45 samples collected from ICAR-AICRP/MSP on Pig, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara and 32 (88.89%) of 36 samples from ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, Assam and 19 (90.48%) of 21 samples from different unorganized farms. All the 92 E. coli isolates were examined for the presence of stx1, est1, elt1 and eaeA genes using specific primers. Among these isolates, 25 (27.17%) were positive for stx1 gene, 18(19.56%) for est1 gene, 6(6.52%) for elt1 gene, 3 (3.26%) for both genes est1 and elt1 and 12 (13.04%) for eaeA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates revealed that the highest percentage (71.74%) of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline and the least (4.34%) to imipenem.

Isolation, Pathotyping and Drug Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolates from Diarrheic Piglets

Background: Porcine astrovirus (PAstV) is an emerging pathogen detected from the feces of both healthy and diarrheic pigs with limited studies comparing the presence of PAstV and diarrhea in pigs. PAstV has been reported worldwide with a few reports from India. In addition, there are limited reports on variation in the amino acid sequence of the ORF2 region, which codes for viral capsid protein. The present study was aimed to study the presence of PAstV, association with diarrhea in pigs of various age groups and its molecular characterization from Haryana, a northern Indian state.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 176 rectal swabs of pigs were collected from different parts of Haryana. The samples were screened for PAstV by RT-PCR of the partial ORF1b/ORF2 genomic region. The positive samples were characterized by molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In the present study, PAstV was detected in pigs in 16.47% of fecal samples, including 21/127 (16.53%) diarrheic and 8/49 (16.32%) non-diarrheic. The results indicated that weaning piglets were more susceptible to PAstV infection followed by suckling piglets. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of PAstV4 and PAstV2 lineages in Haryana. The study revealed endemic presence of virus in the region with high genetic diversity among the PAstV strains, suggesting a wide range of heterogeneity.

Porcine Astrovirus Detection and Characterization in Healthy and Diarrheic Pigs from Haryana, India

<div style="text-align: justify;">With an objective to minimize the weaning stress and to maximize the welfare, early weaning was combined with split weaning in 41 piglets of Large White Yorkshire (LWY). Weaning method was either &ldquo;Weight Based Early or Split Weaning&rdquo; i.e. TES or &ldquo;Conventional Weaning&rdquo; i.e. TC and treated as control. The weaning age in TC was 56 days. In TES, heavier (&gt; 1.5 kg) medium weighing (1.0-1.5 kg) and lighter (&lt; 1.0 kg) piglets were weaned at 30 (TESH), 37 days (TESM) and 42 days (TESL), respectively. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed consumption, haematological profiles etc. were collected up to 120 days. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets was almost equal in both groups. The overall ADG at the end of study period was almost equal in all three sub-groups and in control. FCR of piglets under split and conventional weaning groups was significantly better (P&lt;0.05) in TESH than Tc group, both during pre- and post-weaning period. The PCV (%) and TLC value under different sub-groups of split-weaned piglets were almost similar to different sub-groups of conventionally weaned piglets and were within normal range. There were significant differences among haemoglobin level among different sub-group of TES and Tc and it was within the range of normal reference value. From the present study it can be concluded that split weaned piglets performed almost equally to conventionally weaned piglets.</div>

Effect of weight and age based split weaning on growth performances and welfare of Large White Yorkshire piglets

Four piglets of non-descript breed, weighing 7.2 kg (P1), 7.7 kg (P2), 9.6 kg (P3) and 10.1 kg (P4) were presented with a missing testis. On general examination, only the left testes were found in the scrotum of P1, P2 and P3 while right testis was found in P4. The temperature, pulse and respiration were recorded normal during clinical examination. On manual palpation, the undescended testes could be palpated in inguinal region in P3 and P4 only. However, ultrasonography scanning revealed presence of semi echogenic oval shape image indicative of undescended testis in P1, P3 and P4. Similar structure could not be observed in P2. All the piglets were prepared for castration and cryptorchidectomy operation and both the scrotal and abdominal testis were removed with routine surgical procedure. The abdominal testis in P2 was found absent even after laperotomy operation. It may be a case of congenital anomaly, bearing single testicle which is also known as monorchidism. From the present study, it can be concluded that ultrasonography is the best tool to confirm presence or absence of undescended testis in piglets. Post surgically, the piglets were treated with antibiotics and analgesics parenterally and broad spectrum ointments topically. All the piglet recovered without post-operative complications. 
&nbsp;

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Cryptorchidism in Piglets

<div style="text-align: justify;">Present study was planned to acclimatize the pre-weaned piglet for stress tolerance through restricted suckling with or without mother&rsquo;s visibility for improved piglet and through stress tolerance. For this, 244 piglets from 36 pregnant crossbred sows (Landrace &times; Desi), with 18 sows each, during summer season having 147 piglets and during winter season having 97 piglets were used. Eighteen sows along with their piglets were randomly distributed in 3 treatment groups viz. T0 (No restriction), T1 (restricted suckling with mother&rsquo;s visibility) and T2 (restricted suckling without mother&rsquo;s visibility) for the above said study for 3 months. A total of 15 minutes time was allotted for suckling of piglets in T1 and T2 group. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed intake, behaviour and growth parameter of piglets were recorded up to 3 months of age. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets showed non-significant difference between the treatment groups. Grower feed intake during post-weaning (after 42 days) period showed significant difference (P&lt;0.01) during winter season with highest value observed in T2 group. In rest of the period, non-significant difference was observed for all the treatment groups both during summer and winter season. Higher values for suckling behaviour was recorded for T1 and T2 groups than T0. From the present study, restricted suckling without mother&rsquo;s visibility may be recommended at farm level for quick adaptation of piglets after weaning.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of Restricted Suckling on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Crossbred Piglets</div>

<div>Background: Neonatal and early post-weaned piglet mortality causes huge economic losses to the farmers. The beneficial effect of probiotic and zinc in respect to the gut health in piglets has already been established. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate age-related changes and the effect of dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc on morphological and morphometrical characteristics on villi and crypts of the small intestine in pre and post-weaned piglets. 
 
Methods: A total of 18 Large White Yorkshire piglets, irrespective of sex were divided into three different age-groups [pre-weaning (20 days old, n = 3) and, post-weaning (30 days old, n = 3) and (60 days old, n = 3)]. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. They were divided into control group (C) fed with basal diet and treatment group (T) fed with combined probiotic and zinc oral supplement along with the basal diet. After sacrifice the animals, tissue samples were collected and processed for routine stain and SEM. The alterations on morphology and morphometry of villi and crypts were recorded both in the control and treatment group of piglets. &nbsp; 
 
Result: The villus height and width and crypt depth and width were increased, however, the villus crypt ratio was found to be lower in the treatment group of piglets. The villus and crypt enlargement factor showing higher numerical values in the piglets fed with probiotic and zinc than the control group of piglets. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a clear extrusion zone with prominent shedding of cells in the villi of jejunum and ileum in the treatment group of piglets at day 30 and 60.</div>

<div>Alterations of Small Intestinal Morphology on Villi and Crypts after Feeding Probiotic and Zinc in Pre and Post-weaned Piglets</div>

<div>Background: Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effect of probiotic and zinc on brush-border enzyme activity and histoenzymatic study of the small intestine in pre and post-weaned piglets. &nbsp; 
 
Methods: Eighteen LWY piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally @ 1.25 x 109 CFU/day and zinc @ 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning), day 30 (weaning) and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For disaccharidase enzyme estimation, the mucosal brush border of the small intestine was scrapped off and the experiment was conducted. For histoenzymatic assay, the small intestine samples were preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196&ordm;C immediately after sacrifice. They were sectioned at 10&micro;m thickness maintained at -20&ordm;C and stained for different histochemical staining. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The activity of different brush-border enzymes such as maltase, sucrase and lactase was more in the treatment group of piglets. The activity of different histochemical enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, adenosine tri-phosphatase and non-specific esterase was increased in the treated group of piglets.</div>

Impact of Probiotic and Zinc on Brush-border Enzyme and Histoenzymatic Profile in the Small Intestine of Pre and Post-weaned Piglets

<div>Background: Pig is recognized as an advantageous non-rodent animal model within a large number of biomedical research areas and of xenotransplantation of animal organs into humans. People prefer taking goat milk during dengue fever like conditions for recovery from low blood constituents, particularly the blood platelets, without any scientific proof.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Haemoglobin, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and blood platelets count were studied in 2.5 months old 18 experimentally induced hypovolemic Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets at CVASc., GBPUAT, Pantnagar after feeding them milk of Pantja goats and black Badri cows over a period of 30 days during Oct.&ndash;Nov. 2019 and May-June 2020. Hypovolemia in piglets was achieved by withdrawing their 15% of total estimated blood volume (@ 7.5% in each time on day 1st and 3rd of experiment), followed by providing them with milk, which was double the amount of blood withdrawn, for 30 days. Control group (T1) piglets (6 no.) were maintained on basal diet, whereas group T2 and T3 piglets were given milk of Pantja goats and black Badri cows, respectively. Blood samples for testing were collected on 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th day. 
 
Result: Average normal blood picture of weaned LWY piglets for haemoglobin (g/dl), ESR (mm/hr) and platelets count (105 cells/ mm3) was 11.36 &plusmn; 0.20, 10.00&plusmn; 2.01, 3.1767 &plusmn; 0.2577, respectively. For haemoglobin and ESR, the values on testing days and the overall values for group T1, T2 and T3 piglets did not show any significant variation. However, the pooled values for haemoglobin were significantly different (P&lt;0.01) on various testing days, being higher on day 1st and 30th than on 3rd, 7th and 15th day, implying that normal haemoglobin level was regained on 30th day of hypovolemia. The pooled values for ESR were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) on various testing days, being higher on day 1st and 3rd only, which may be due to simultaneous increase in total erythrocyte counts. Overall mean platelets count (x105&nbsp;cells/ mm3) for LWY piglets was 3.2570&plusmn; 0.0890 and their values in group T1, T2 and T3 piglets were 3.0983&plusmn;0.1675, 3.0820&plusmn;0.1490 and 3.5907&plusmn;0.1885, respectively, being significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) for black Badri cow milk fed group piglets. This may imply usefulness of black Badri cow milk over Pantja goat milk in improving blood platelets count in human, considering pig a good animal model for human within a large number of biomedical researches.</div>

<div>Haematological Traits of Induced Hypovolemic Large White Yorkshire Piglets as Affected by Feeding them Milk of Pantja Goats and Black Badri Cows</div>

<div>Background: The present study was designed to evaluate alterations in the immunological status of the small intestine after dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc in pre and post-weaned piglets. 
 
Methods: For the present study, 18 healthy Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets, irrespective of sex, were divided into three different age groups [pre-weaning (20 days old, n = 3), weaning (30 days old, n = 3) and post-weaning (60 days old, n = 3)]. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. They were divided into control group (C) fed with basal diet and treatment group (T) fed with combined probiotic and zinc oral supplement along with the basal diet. A probiotic mixture consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum (1.25x109cfu/d for 10 days) along with zinc supplement (ZnO @ 2000 ppm/d for 10 days) administered orally to the treatment group of piglets. 
 
Result: The relative expression of TNF-&alpha;, IL-1&beta; and IL-6 genes was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in the treatment group of piglets as compared to the control group. However, the expression of IL-8, IL-12p40 and IL-18 genes were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) after oral administration of probiotic and zinc to the piglets.</div>

​Expression Profiling of Cytokine-related Genes in the Small Intestine of Healthy Pre and Post-weaned Piglets Administered Orally with Probiotic and Zinc