Brain and spinal cord lesions in pigs inoculated with swine vesicular disease (UKG strain) virus and coxsackievirus B5.

Pigs inoculated intravenously with swine vesicular disease virus (UKG strain), those inoculated with coxsackievirus B5, and other pigs exposed by pen contact to the same viruses developed diffuse encephalomyelitis. Perivascular cuffing, with lymphocytes and formation of neuroglia cell foci, were most prominent in telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon. Encephalitis was of mild to severe intensity. Severity of lesions was more extensive and severe in the pigs exposed to swine vesicular disease virus. Pen contact exposure to either of the 2 viruses caused a more severe central nervous system reaction than did intravenous inoculation. The type and the distribution of lesions produced by the 2 viruses indicate that they may be related.