Aujeszky's disease in a horse

A horse with neurological signs and severe meningoencephalitis caused by Aujeszky's disease is described. The diagnosis was established by immunohistochemistry, DNA-in situ hybridization and serological tests. Aujeszky's disease virus antigen and Aujeszky's disease viral DNA were detected in neurons of the cerebrum. In the serum of the horse antibodies against Aujeszky's disease virus were detected in a virus neutralization test, in a blocking ELISA which specifically detects antibodies against the glycoprotein I (Ig) of the virus, in an indirect double sandwich ELISA and with colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy which detects antibodies directed against the envelope and nucleocapsid of the virus. Intranasal infection of two points with a high dose of Aujeszky's disease virus caused very wild and transient signs. Although the experimental infection induced virus neutralizing antibodies, it failed to induce gI specific antibodies.