Chronic sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) infection in athymic rats

Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) was detected in athymic rats subcutaneously implanted with human tumor cell lines. Clinical signs included sneezing, dyspnea, weight loss and death. Necropsy revealed both upper and lower respiratory tract disease from which Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella pneumotropica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recovered. Histopathological changes consisted of suppurative rhinitis and bronchopneumonia. Lesions characteristic of SDAV infection were found in lacrimal and salivary glands, and viral antigens were detected in the salivary glands and respiratory tract by immunohistochemistry. Submaxillary salivary gland. Harderian gland and lung homogenates from affected athymic rats were inoculated intranasally into euthymic rats as a rat antibody production test. All euthymic rats seroconverted to SDAV. Seroconversion to SDAV was demonstrated in consecutive pairs of sentinel euthymic rats housed for 6 months with infected athymic rats. Inoculation of supernatants of the original tumor cell lines into euthymic rats did not result in seroconversion. The source of the virus was not determined. In this study, spontaneously acquired SDAV infection persisted for at least 6 months in athymic rats.