[Morphology and morphogenesis of Aujeszky's disease virus (the viral mutant MK-35 and virulent strain 2)].

Ultrastructural studies were carried out on the morphology and morphogenesis of the Aujeszky's disease avirulent immunogenic mutant strain MK 35 and the virulent parental strain 2. It was found that MK 35 had a delayed cycle of replication, lasting about 10 hours as against the virulent strain 2. It also induced specific cytomorphology of the infected cells as well as the synthesis of a predominantly virus antigen in the form of empty viral capsids of tubular shape. THe culturing of the virulent strain in cell cultures in the presence of the antimetabolite 5-brom-desoxiuridine led to the synthesis of a limited amount of mature viral particles. Characteristic proved, the production, although in small amounts, of empty viral capsids. This process was observed after the 24th hour of infection of the cell cultures.