A deletion at the UL/IR junction reduces pseudorabies virus neurovirulence.
A recombinant pseudorabies virus (PRV), designated LLT beta delta 2, which contains a 3-kbp deletion spanning the junction of the unique long and internal repeat sequences was constructed. Compared with the parental strain and a virus rescued for the deleted sequences, LLT beta delta 2 exhibited similar replication characteristics in tissue culture. When inoculated intranasally in swine, LLT beta delta 2 was significantly reduced in virulence and did not produce neurological signs characteristic of PRV infection. LLT beta delta 2 replicated efficiently at the site of inoculation and in peripheral nervous tissues, but replication was restricted in the central nervous system. These results indicate the presence of a PRV neurovirulence determinant in the vicinity of the junction.
Dean
H J
HJ
Virology Swine Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ames, Iowa 50010.
Cheung
A K
AK
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D017353:Gene Deletion; D016679:Genome, Viral; D011558:Herpesvirus 1, Suid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013552:Swine; D014774:Virulence; D017735:Virus Latency; D014779:Virus Replication