Studies on Swine Enteroviruses

Of 38 new isolates of enterovirus recovered from fecal specimens of Japanese pigs, 14 isolates were found to be strains of a new serotype (represented by strain IPI) distinct from the five serotypes of swine enterovirus hitherto recognized in Japan. The remaining isolates included serotypes Teschen, T80, SF1 and V13. The two different types of cytopathic effect, which have been recently recognized in swine kidney cell cultures, were also observed with our isolates; type I is characterized by a rounding of cells followed by aggregation and destruction of affected cells, and type II by granulation and degradation of cells with poor clumping of affected cells. Of interest is the finding that the type I strains possess a higher heat stability than the type II strains when heated at 50 C for one hr.     

Swine in cardiovascular research

Swine are being chosen with increasing frequency as subjects for cardiovascular research. Similarities to humans in their cardiovascular physiology, size, anatomy, and the perfusion distribution of blood flows make them better subjects than most species. In addition, swine can be less expensive than dogs and primates and they generally are not associated with the same high concern as other species about humane issues.