DNA OF BOVINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE-1 IN THE TRIGEMINAL GANGLIA OF LATENTLY INFECTED CALVES

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (1) , 36-40
Abstract
Twelve calves infected with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) were killed when in a latent state of infection. Latency was verified 30 days after virus inoculation of the calves by seroconversion, absence of virus shedding and, in 2 calves, by recrudescence of the infection after they were treated with dexamethasone. By in situ hybridization techniques and autoradiography, DNA of BHV-1 was detected in 13 of 23 trigeminal ganglia of latently infected calves. Viral DNA was restricted to the nucleus of nerve cells. Single neurons harboring BHV-1 DNA were observed in 4.9% (325) of the sections of the trigeminal ganglia. The results correspond to those known from herpes simplex virus infections in mice. The implications for the virus-host relationship are discussed.