Pathogenesis of swine vesicular disease in pigs.

Pigs exposed to swine vesicular disease virus developed vesicular lesions by postinoculation day 2. Lesions first appeared on the coronary band and then on the dewclaw, tongue, snout, lips, and bulbs of the heels. The onset of viremia coincided with febrile response and the appearance of vesicles. Virus was isolated from the nasal discharge, esophageal-pharyngeal fluid, and feces as early as postinoculation day 1. Greater amounts of virus were isolated from samples collected during the first week of infection, and lesser amounts from samples collected during the second week. The appearance and the distribution of specific fluorescence in various tissues indicated that during the development of swine vesicular disease virus infection, the epithelial tissues were initially involved, followed by a generalized infection of lymph tissues, and subsequently, a primary viremia. Seroconversion was detectable as early as postinoculation day 4. A mild nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis throughout the CNS was observed in both inoculated and contact-exposed pigs. The olfactory bulbs were most severely and were frequently affected, particularly in contact pigs. The most severe brain lesions were found in pigs 3 to 4 days after the onset of viremia; contact pigs showed more severe brain lesions than inoculated pigs. Microscopic changes were also found in the coronary band, snout, tongue, and heart.