Superinfection with porcine cytomegalovirus initiating transplacental infection

Abstract

Four sows with circulating antibody were exposed to porcine cytomegalovirus. Virus was detected in 8 of 24 foetuses by immunofluorescence and/or virus isolation from 2 sows with low levels of antibody. In 6 of the infected foetuses, the virus was in capillary endothelium and macrophages of the lung, and was associated with interlobular oedema in 2 of these. Virus was also detected in the nasal mucosa, spleen and brain. The majority of the virus-positive foetuses were grossly normal.