Experimental infection of eastern cottontail rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus) with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus
Lupton, H.W.; Reed, D.E.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 40(9): 1329-1331
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 230773 Document Number: 150089
Experimental infection of S. floridanus with IBR virus caused acute keratoconjunctivitis and a fatal systemic infection. The clinical syndrome was characterized initially by blepharospasm and ocular discharge. The rabbits were markedly depressed by five days after exposure and were dead or moribund by day 6. The virus was readily recovered from liver and adrenal gland tissue on day 6 and from conjunctival swabs on the days 1 - 6. Histologically there were a few necrotic foci in the liver and multiple focal to diffuse necrosis of the adrenal glands. Viral isolation and immunofluorescence tests were used to demonstrate a direct association between IBR viral antigens and the lesions.