Experimental infection of lambs with ovine adenovirus isolate RTS-151: clinical, microbiological, and serologic responses.

Twelve 1-week-old colostrum-deprived lambs that were inoculated with ovine adenovirus isolate RTS-151 developed a mild febrile response between postinoculation days (PID) 4 and 10. They were inactive and some had serous nasal discharges; their respiratory rates and efforts were increased. Virus was isolated from nasal secretions from PID 2 to PID 8. Virus also was isolated from tracheal fluid and lung tissue of most lambs at necropsy (between PID 2 and 12), but not from liver, kidney, small intestine, and feces, indicating that the infection was confined to the respiratory tract. Four control lambs remained healthy and neither virus nor serum antibody was detected.