The multiplication pattern of a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus was studied in hamsters and compared with that of a virulent virus strain. The ts mutant was recovered regularly from the nasal mucosa and not from the lungs, whereas the virulent virus multiplied in the lungs as well as in the nasal mucosa.
The serological response induced by the mutant was comparable to that obtained after inoculation of the virulent virus.
This ts mutant may be a potential candidate for a live intranasal vaccine against bovine parainfluenza 3 infection.