Evaluation of the rabbit as a laboratory model for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus infection.

Experimental infection of rabbits with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) produced diverse manifestations of disease which included abortion, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, vulvovaginitis, systemic infection, neonatal death and respiratory tract infection. Each disease syndrome was studied using virus isolation, fluorescent antibody examination and histologic examination. Conjunctivitis, dermatitis and vulvovaginitis lesions were characterized by edema, infiltration of mucosa and submucosa with inflammatory cells and ulceration of epithelium. Systemic infection resulted in severe necrosis of liver and adrenal glands with large numbers of cells containing intranuclear inculsions. Pregnant rabbits aborted within 48 hours following inoculation of IBRV. Virus infection and viral lesions were not demonstrated in aborted fetuses.