The effect of repeated treatment with dexamethasone on the re-excretion pattern of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and humoral immune response

Two cattle, free of antibody to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) were infected intranasally with IBRV, and developed specific antibody to the virus. Ten weeks later, both animals were given an intravenous course of dexamethasone (DM). Nasal excretion of physical particles of virus, as judged by electron microscopy, occurred in both animals, as early as 24 h after the first DM injection, and high levels of infectious particles appeared several days later. Neutralizing antibody titre to IBRV increased following excretion of virus. Further courses of DM given at 20 and 32 weeks following initial infection were not associated with excretion of physical, 'non-infectious' particles or significant changes in specific antibody titre, although on each occasion one of the two animals excreted low levels of infectious particles. © 1979.