Here, using the virulent PRV strain Becker and an attenuated vaccine strain, PRV Bartha, we provide evidence that PRV-Becker infection but not PRV Bartha infection, primes DRG neurons to an inflammatory state at very early time post-infection, which is regulated through TLR2 and type I IFN signaling. The gene discussed is TLR2; the disease is acquired polycythemia vera.