The pathogenesis of diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection was studied in miniature swine piglets. The animals were inoculated orally with 2 X 10(7) plaque-forming units of porcine rotavirus (OSU strain). During the height of diarrhea, intestinal function was investigated by in vivo perfusion of a 30-cm segment of proximal jejunum and a 30-cm segment of distal ileum. Absorption of Na+ and water decreased and 3-O-methylglucose transport was markedly reduced, P less than 0.01 compared to control animals. Mucosal lactase and sucrase levels were depressed in both the jejunum and ileum, P less than 0.001. Na+,K+-ATPase activity was significantly depressed only in the ileum, P less than 0.001. These changes were associated with a marked reduction in villous height, suggesting that the diarrhea could be an osmotic diarrhea due to nutrient (carbohydrate) malabsorption. Fresh stool samples were obtained and analyzed immediately for NA+,K+, osmolarity, glucose, and lactose; the osmotic gap was also determined. Stool osmolarity continually increased from 248 +/- 20 mosm/liter prior to inoculation to 348 +/- 20 mosm/liter at 75 +/- 1 hr postinoculation (P less than 0.005); the majority of the fecal osmotic gap could be accounted for by the amount of lactose present in the stools. Stool sodium increased from 34 +/- 6 mM prior to inoculation to a maximum of 65 +/- 4 mM at 53 +/- 1 hr postinoculation, P less than 0.001. There was no significant change in potassium concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)