Porcine alphaherpesvirus 1, which is also called
pseudorabies virus (PRV) or suid herpesvirus-1 (SHV-1), causes the
pseudorabies disease (also known as Aujeszky's disease, and in
cattle as mad itch) which is endemic in most parts of the world.
PRV is considered to be the most economically important viral
disease of swine in areas where hog cholera has been eradicated.
Other domestic and wild mammals, such a cattle, sheep, dogs,
raccoons are also suscetible. The disease is usually fatal in these
hosts.
Research on PRV in pigs has pioneered animal disease control with
genetically modified vaccines. PRV is now extensively studied as a
model for basic processes during lytic herpesvirus infection, and
for unravelling molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus
neurotropism.
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