Subclinical Aujeszky's disease virus infection in a pig herd and the characterisation of the strain of virus isolated
McCullough, S.J.; Todd, D.
Veterinary Record 122(4): 77-81
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2832999 Document Number: 320073
The spread of antibody to Aujeszky's disease virus through a susceptible pig herd was monitored after the probable introduction of infection by a recently purchased boar. The infection spread slowly through the herd, but no clinical signs of Aujeszky's disease were seen. The strain of virus isolated was designated NIA-6. It has been characterised by a series of experimental infections and extends the known range of virulence of isolates of Aujeszky's disease virus made in Northern Ireland. The strain caused no disease in 4-week-old piglets and is therefore less virulent than other isolates from Northern Ireland pigs. However, it killed rabbits and a proportion of experimentally infected 2-week-old piglets, which differentiates it from the avirulent bovine isolate (NIA-4).