Distribution of Aujeszky's disease virus in experimentally infected mink (Mustela vison).

Eight Mink (Mustela vison) were inoculated orally with Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). Three mink were killed at the onset of clinical signs and the other mink died spontaneously after inoculation. The incubation period ranged from 72 to 96 hours and was followed by a short illness characterised by increasing salivation, vomiting and retching, depression and coma. Microscopically, lesions were confined to the brain stem and consisted of a discrete non-suppurative encephalitis. Viral antigen was detected by an immunoperoxidase technique predominantly in association with specific lesions, although sometimes it was found within non-altered areas in the brain stem. Virus isolation confirmed the presence of ADV in the central nervous system. Fibrinoid degeneration of vessel walls was present in pharynx, larynx and myocardium in association with haemorrhages. Microthrombi were observed in heart and brain.