The effect of antibody and complement on the expression of herpesvirus of bovine malignant catarrhal fever in cultured rabbit lymphocytes

Using indirect immunofluorescence with a hyperimmune calf serum, a virus-induced antigen was demonstrated on the surface of lymphocytes expressing intracellular malignant catarrhal fever virus antigens. Antibody to the antigen was also detected in terminal sera of both cattle and rabbits. Antisera did not restrict virus expression in explanted lymph nodes unless they were supplemented with two to four units of lytic complement per ml culture. While human, bovine and guinea pig complements caused immune lysis of infected lymphocytes, rabbit complement was ineffective. The relevance of the findings in the pathogenesis of the lymphoid proliferation caused by MCFV is discussed.