Immunological and biochemical investigations of the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. III. Alterations in pulmonary surfactant lipids.

The effect of experimental bovine herpes virus (BHV) type I rhinotracheitis on the surfactant system phospholipids in calves was examined. A stimulated exocytosis of pulmonary surfactant phospholipids in the acute phase of the disease was documented biochemically and ultrastructurally. The data presented were assumed as an evidence of the involvement of pulmonary surfactant in lung defense.