The pseudorabies virus (PRV) gene encoding thymidine kinase (tk) is an important virulence-associated factor. Attenuation of PRV in susceptible animals is a frequent result of tk deletion. The aim of the study was to assess the pathogenicity of tk-deleted PRV in rats.
Sprague Dawley rats were infected with the tk-deleted PRV strain SuHV-1 ΔTK:247
Infection with SuHV-1 ΔTK:247 could cause death in rats. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) of SuHV-1 ΔTK:247
The results of this study show that rats are highly susceptible to PRV infection, and tk deletion did not completely diminish the pathogenicity of PRV in rats.