Comparison of in vitro replication and cytopathology caused by strains of canine distemper virus of vaccine and field origin.

Three biological properties of canine distemper virus were examined to determine if any would consistently differentiate field from vaccine strains of the virus. The properties were the ability to (1) infect macrophages and epithelial cells, (2) produce distinct cytopathologic effect in alveolar and peritoneal macrophages and Vero cells, and (3) produce pocks on the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated chicken eggs. Four vaccine strains and 5 field isolates were used in the study. The 5 field isolates were obtained directly from canine tissues. Of the 3 properties studied, only the comparison of the ability of the viruses to infect macrophages and epithelial cells was a consistent marker of virus origin. Virulent field isolates would only infect macrophage cultures, whereas the vaccine strains infected both types of cells. One avirulent field isolate from a case of old dog encephalitis reacted more like a vaccine strain by infecting both cell types.