Pseudorabies

Aujeszky's disease, usually called pseudorabies in the United States, is a viral disease in swine that is endemic in most parts of the world. It is caused by pseudorabies virus, also known as suid herpesvirus 1 (PRV). Aujeszky's disease is considered to be the most economically important viral disease of swine in areas where classical swine fever (hog cholera) has been eradicated. Other mammals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and raccoons, are also susceptible. The disease is usually fatal in these animal species. Human infection has been documented. Research on PRV in pigs has pioneered animal disease control with genetically modified marker vaccines lacking an antigen, which allow for immunological differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals. PRV is now used in model studies of basic processes during lytic herpesvirus infection, and for unravelling molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus neurotropism.