Pseudorabies virus infection in mink: a host-specific pathogenesis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Animal Pathology
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• Pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus, typically causes neurological disease in animals.
• Mink exhibit a distinct vasculopathy in response to PRV, differing from the typical encephalitis seen in other species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of PRV infection in mink.
• To understand why mink develop vasculopathy instead of encephalitis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized immunohistochemistry and laser capture microdissection (LCM) on naturally and experimentally infected mink.
• Analyzed nervous system and oropharyngeal mucosa tissues for viral presence and inflammatory markers.
• Examined endothelial cells and vascular structures for signs of infection and damage.

Main Results:

• Minimal inflammatory response observed in mink's nervous system and oropharyngeal mucosa.
• High numbers of PRV-infected cells detected in both peripheral mucosa and nervous tissue.
• Evidence of vascular pathology, including hemorrhages and fibrinoid degeneration of capillaries.
• PRV antigens and DNA detected in endothelial cells of capillaries in the brain and oropharyngeal mucosa.

Conclusions:

• PRV exhibits increased endotheliotropism in mink, targeting endothelial cells.
• Infection of vessel walls leads to vascular pathology and impaired endothelial function.
• This endotheliotropism may explain the unique vasculopathy and weak immune response in mink.