A skin test for pseudorabies virus infection in swine.

Heat-inactivated pseudorabies virus caused cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitive reactions when injected intradermally on the dorsolateral aspect of the thorax and tips of the ears of pigs previously exposed to the homologous virus. The reaction induced by subcutaneous injection in the lower eyelid was more easily administered and evaluated. Nonexposed control pigs did not react to the antigen and exposed and control pigs did not react when injected with a cell control antigen prepared in a similar manner. A positive response was detectable as early as seven days after exposure, reached near maximal levels by 28 days, and remained at similar levels for at least 90 days.