Differential tropism of pseudorabies virus for sensory neurons in the cat

The permissiveness of cat motor and sensory systems to infection by pseudorabies virus (PRV) was examined. Eight adult cats of both sexes received injections of a virulent strain of PRV (PRV-Becker) into either the diaphragm or neck musculature. Temporal analysis of the replication and transynaptic passage of virus in each experimental paradigm revealed that sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia were more susceptible to infection than motor neurons. Only scattered motor neurons displayed productive replication of virus at postinoculation intervals extending to 192 h whereas robust replication of virus in neurons in the dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn of the spinal cord was apparent as early as 96 h post inoculation. The data demonstrate that functionally distinct populations of neurons in the cat are differentially permissive to infection and transneuronal transport of PRV.