Aujeszky's disease in horses fulfils Koch's postulates
Kimman, T.G.; Binkhorst, G.J.; van den Ingh, T.S.; Pol, J.M.; Gielkens, A.L.; Roelvink, M.E.
Veterinary Record 128(5): 103-106
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1850887 Document Number: 387483
Aujeszky virus was isolated from the brain of a horse which had shown severe neurological signs, including excessive sweating, muscle tremors and periods of mania. Pathological examination showed a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. The virus was propagated in cell culture and inoculated into the conjunctiva and nostrils of 2 ponies. The ponies developed fever 7 days after inoculation and subsequently started to behave abnormally showing severe neurological signs on the 9th day after inoculation. One pony became excited and the other was depressed. One pony died on the 9th day after inoculation and the other was destroyed on the 10th day. Both ponies had a significant increase in serum antibody titre against the virus. The virus was recovered from several parts of the brains and the eyes of the ponies. Aujeszky's disease in horses therefore fulfils Koch's postulates. Although horses do not appear to be very susceptible to the virus, Aujeszky's disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of horses with fatal or transient neurological signs of disease in areas where the virus is endemic.