PERSISTENCE OF VESICULAR STOMATITIS-VIRUS NEW-JERSEY RNA IN CONVALESCENT HAMSTERS

Persistence of vesicular stomatitis virus New Jersey (VSV-NJ) was stud ied in experimentally infected hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). We use d reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-N PCR ) to probe tissues of hamsters inoculated with VSV-NJ Hazelhurst. Vira l genomic RNA was detected in the brain, cerebellum, spleen, liver, ki dney, and lung 2 months after infection, but only in the central nervo us system at 10 and 12 months. Viral messenger RNA was detected in the brain of one hamster at 2 months after infection. Replicative interme diate was detected in the spinal cord of one hamster at 12 months. The se results suggest that VSV-RNA persists in animals for long periods f ollowing infection, disease, and convalescence. However, infectious vi rus was not recovered from tissues by conventional serial passages of tissue extracts in Vero cells or by cocultivation. (C) 1996 Academic P ress, Inc.