[The isolation of the morbilli virus from the Baikal seal Phoca sibirica and its preliminary characterization].

A morbillivirus was isolated from the organs of a seal (Phoca sibirica) which had died during 1987-1988 epizootic in Baikal. This Baikal seal morbillivirus (BSM) was adapted to Vero cell cultures in which it induced a cytopathic effect developing to complete destruction of the monolayer. Typing of BSM was done by indirect immunofluorescence test and enzyme immunoassay using antibodies to distemper and measles viruses. A method for virus concentration and purification was developed. According to electron microscopic examinations, the virus virions were spherical particles of heterogeneous sizes over 100 nm in diameter. The clinical picture of seal infection, pathological anatomy and histopathology are described. A possible role of BSM in the epizootics of Baikal seals is discussed.