Rapid diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease in pigs by immunofluorescence

Direct immunofluorescence on impression smears of brain and pharynx was compared with virus isolation in cell culture for the diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease in experimentally and naturally infected pigs. Pharyngeal impression smears were more sensitive than virus isolation in two pigs killed 10 and 12 days after experimental infection. Both methods were of similar sensitivity in the detection of virus from field cases of disease. Smears of brain and pharynx were more sensitive than virus isolation for tissue which had been stored at room temperature (approximately 20 degrees C) for up to 48 hours. Some reduction in the amounts of virus recovered from tissues and the intensity of fluorescent staining occurred in these samples.