Vet. Res. 38 (2007) 229-241
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:200661

Cell biological and molecular characteristics of pseudorabies virus infections in cell cultures and in pigs with emphasis on the respiratory tract

Hans Nauwynck, Sarah Glorieux, Herman Favoreel and Maurice Pensaert

Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium

(Received 13 June 2006; accepted 23 November 2006; published online 25 January 2007)

Abstract - In the present review, several cell biological and molecular aspects of virus-cell and virus-host (pig) interactions are reviewed for pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) virus. Concerning the virus-cell interactions, the complex cascade of events in the virus replication cycle is given together with the different mechanisms of cell-to-cell spread. The pathogenesis of pseudorabies virus infections in pigs is concentrated on the sequence of events in the respiratory tract. Finally, a short overview is given on the control of the disease and eradication of the virus by the combination of marker vaccines and discriminating ELISA.

Key words: pseudorabies virus / virus replication / cell-associated spread / pathogenesis / control

Corresponding author: hans.nauwynck@ugent.be

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2007