Hematologic Studies of Rinderpest-Infected Swine

Abstract

Complete hematologic studies on swine inoculated with virulent rinderpest virus are reported. There was a 67 per cent reduction in total leukocyte counts on the third day postinoculation; counts returned to normal by the eighth day. The remainder of the hematologic values showed no significant changes. There was a febrile response at 3 days postinoculation; by the eighth day, temperature had returned to normal. Other clinical signs were less conspicuous and consisted of anorexia, stiff gait, and arched back occurring only on the third and fourth days after inoculation. The immunity of previously inoculated swine was challenged with virulent rinderpest virus 23 days after initial infection and no abnormal change in hemograms or body temperature resulted. The rinderpest-inoculated groups developed antibodies as demonstrated by the virus neutralization tests in rabbits.