Aj. Masot et al., LESIONS IN LAMBS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH BOVINE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS, Histology and histopathology, 10(1), 1995, pp. 71-77
An experimental model was designed to characterize lesions in the lung
of lambs inoculated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). 2
5 Merino lambs of both sexes, with a live weight of 17+/-3 Kg, receive
d an intratracheal inoculation of 20 ml saline solution containing 1.2
6x10(6) TCID50 BRSV (strain NMK-7) per ml. Lambs were laughtered 1, 3,
7, 11 and 15 postinoculation days (PID), and histopathological, immun
ohistochemical and electron microscopic studies were performed. Result
s reflected a series of lesions, the most noteworthy of which were bro
nchiolitis obliterants with destruction of the mucociliary apparatus,
the presence of syncytial cells in alveoli and a progressive interstit
ial reaction. BRSV antigen was detected in lung samples. These changes
might be expected to decrease the efficiency of respiratory tract def
ence mechanisms, rendering the lung parenchyma susceptible to opportun
ist bacterial infection.