B. Viuff et al., SITES OF REPLICATION OF BOVINE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN NATURALLY INFECTED CALVES AS DETERMINED BY IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION, Veterinary pathology, 33(4), 1996, pp. 383-390
Replication of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was studied i
n three naturally infected calves by in situ hybridization using stran
d-specific RNA probes. One of the calves was a 5-month-old Friesian, t
he other two calves were a 3-month-old and a 2-week-old Jersey. Two Je
rsey calves, 3 months and 3 weeks of age, served as controls. Replicat
ion of BRSV took place in the luminal lining of the respiratory tract.
In one of the BRSV infected animals (calf No. 1), replication was esp
ecially seen in the bronchi, whereas in the two other animals (calf No
s. 2 and 3) replication of BRSV was demonstrated in the bronchiolar ep
ithelial cells and in alveolar cells. Syncytia were often observed in
the bronchiolar walls and in alveoli and such syncytia were always rep
licating BRSV. By immunohistochemistry it was possible to demonstrate
BRSV antigen at the same location as replication of BRSV was detected.
In tissue outside the respiratory tract neither BRSV antigen nor repl
ication of BRSV could be demonstrated.