Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus-Induced Abortion: Rapid Diagnosis by Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Abstract

SUMMARY The fluorescent antibody ( fa ) technique was used to diagnose abortion caused by infectious bovine rhinotracheitis ( ibr ) virus under field conditions. A total of 150 undiagnosed field cases of abortion were investigated by fa technique, histopathologic examination, and viral isolation procedure. The ibr virus was detected by the fa technique in 31 of the total number of cases examined. In 28 (90%) of the 31 instances, histopathologic lesions typical of ibr virus-induced abortion were seen. The ibr virus was isolated 15 times (48%) from the placentas or fetuses which were fa positive. Fluorescence specific for ibr virus was always focal and most prevalent and brilliant in fetal kidney sections. Nonspecific fluorescence occasionally was encountered in sections of fetal spleen, lung, and lymph nodes and was distinguishable from specific ibr -virus fluorescence by its diffuse nature.