EXPERIMENTAL TRANS-PLACENTAL TRANSMISSION OF CANINE HERPESVIRUS IN PREGNANT BITCHES DURING THE 2ND TRIMESTER OF GESTATION

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (4) , 610-614
Abstract
The effects of canine herpesvirus (CHV) on fetuses were studied after i.v. inoculation of pregnant bitches in the 2nd trimester of gestation. Cesarean sections were performed on 2 bitches that were inoculated with CHV on the estimated 30th day of gestation. One bitch had 2 mummified fetuses; another had 4 mummified and 2 dead fetuses and 3 live-born pups. Infection by CHV was confirmed histopathologically by the presence of focal areas of necrosis associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies in heart muscle sections of 1 dead fetus; CHV was not recovered from other organs. Abortion occurred 2-3 wk after inoculation of another pregnant bitch inoculated with CHV on the estimated 30th day of gestation. Two bitches inoculated with CHV on the estimated 40th day of gestation gave birth prematurely to 10 pups. The detection of characteristic herpesviral lesions in various organs and the reisolation of CHV from the liver, spleen, kidneys and lungs of premature pups indicated CHV infection. Transplacental infection of fetal pups by CHV resulted in their death and subsequent mummification. Apparently, abortion and premature birth also may occur in pregnant bitches during the 2nd trimester of gestation.