Acute and latent infection in mice with a virulent strain of Aujeszkys disease virus

Acute and latent infections with the Brazilian LA031 strain of Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV) were established in mice. Ultraviolet irradiated ADV administered subcutaneously was a successful way to establish latent infection. The presence of ADV was detected by PCR. Two sets of 22-mer primers were synthesized and used to amplify gG glycoprotein gene sequences in acute and latent infected trigeminal nerve ganglia. The specificity of the amplification was verified by dot-blot hybridization.