Clinical and immunological responses of cats to feline herpesvirus type 1 infection

Cats which were challenged with feline herpesvirus type 1 developed clinical signs typical of feline viral rhinotracheitis whether or not they had been vaccinated against the disease. However, the clinical disease was less severe and of shorter duration in the vaccinated cats. After challenge, feline herpesvirus type 1 was recovered from the nostrils, oropharynx and peripheral blood leucocytes. Leucocytosis, primarily a neutrophilia, occurred initially in all the cats and was followed after clinical recovery by a mild lymphocytosis. Intradermal skin testing with feline herpesvirus type 1 and cell control antigens produced a positive delayed type skin reaction. Histology of the affected skin 72 hours after injection showed cellular infiltration, predominantly with eosinophils and neutrophils. The severity of the reaction was greater and more prolonged in the skin of the ear than in the skin of the abdomen.