Abstract
An experimental inoculation of canine Herpesvirus (HVC), strain H17, was performed in rabbits previously and simultaneously treated with dexamethasone, the behavior of the leukocyte count was followed prior and during the experimental phase. Upon death or euthanasia of the animals, a necropsy and evaluation of various organs was performed by histopathology and by nested PCR against the Herpesvirus Polymerase gene. All animals inoculated with dexamethasone showed leukopenia (p < 0.05), animals inoculated with HVC and treated with dexamethasone did not show significant histological lesions, but showed amplification of the Herpesvirus Polymerase gene in various organs despite not showing clinical signs of the illness. A dolphin Herpesvirus isolate was used as a positive control as rabbits developed fatal systemic disease and lesions typical of active (lytic) infection in various organs within 72 hours post-inoculation. The absence of clinical signs, significant histological lesions, and the presence of viral DNA in some organs suggested a state of latency due to canine Herpesvirus. Dexamethasone allowed HVC infection, but did not promote viral reactivation in rabbits contrary to that observed in canines experimentally induced to the lytic cycle by HVC.
Highlights
IntroductionPregnancy or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, the latency state is reversed, and a viral reactivation occurs [1]
All animals inoculated with dexamethasone showed leukopenia (p < 0.05), animals inoculated with HVC and treated with dexamethasone did not show significant histological lesions, but showed amplification of the Herpesvirus Polymerase gene in various organs despite not showing clinical signs of the illness
The most apparent lymphoplasmacytic inflamation and petechial hemorrhages were observed in kidneys and brain. These results are very similar to those reported in canine puppies naturally infected with CHV-1; in which lesion are illustrated by splenomegaly, pulmonary congestion, enlarged lymph nodes and petechial hemorrhages in lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, brain, and intestine; accompanied by multifocal coagulative necrosis [21] [22]
Summary
Pregnancy or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, the latency state is reversed, and a viral reactivation occurs [1]. Adult dogs have been intranasally, intravenously and vaginally infected with CHV-1; independently of the inoculation route, viral DNA has been detected in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and trigeminal ganglia by PCR [5]. CHV-1 has successfully established a latency state after bilateral conjunctivitis in dogs [6]. Burr, and Campbell, 1996 [7], established that the most commonly infected organs in dogs inoculated with CHV-1 are: Lumbosacral ganglia, tonsils, liver, and parotid salivary glands
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
