Resistance of colostrum-deprived domestic lambs to infection with deer adenovirus.

Seven colostrum-deprived, 3-4-wk-old Rambouillet-Hampshire lambs were inoculated via the mucous membranes with deer adenovirus (DAdV) and monitored for clinical signs for 21 d post-inoculation at which time animals were euthanized and postmortem examinations were performed. Pre-inoculation and post-inoculation serum samples were tested for antibodies to DAdV, ovine adenovirus 7, bovine adenovirus 7, and goat adenovirus 1. Evidence for DAdV infection was determined by virus isolation, PCR tests, and histopathology with immunohistochemistry tests for DAdV.