The nature of the acute lymphoid proliferation in rabbits infected with the herpes virus of bovine malignant catarrhal fever

Abstract

The virus of malignant catarrhal fever of cattle (alcelaphine herpesvirus 1) induced an acute fatal lymphoproliferative disorder in rabbits. The lymphoblastoid cells were detected initially in the paracortical zone of lymph nodes and around the Malphigian corpuscles of the spleen, but subsequently invaded and divided in many tissues, particularly the lung and also the kidney, liver, peripheral nerves and retina. The focal necrosis of lymphocytes present in lymph nodes and spleen, was most extensive in the thymus. Bovine testis cultures yielded virus from the tissues in which the cell proliferation occurred, but virus antigens could not be detected by immunofluorescence or virions by electron-microscopy in the primitive cells. The detection of infectivity 4 days after primary inoculation by subinoculation into rabbits and the development of immunofluorescent antibody during the course of the terminal syndrome were considered as evidence that a primary cycle of replication had occurred prior to the lymphoproliferative changes. These acute lymphoproliferative changes were compared and contrasted with those induced by herpesviruses in other species.