Abstract
Brain tissue from 236 wild carnivores, 146 mustelids and 90 foxes, originating from the same geographical area in southwest Germany was collected over a 2 year period between May 1989 and May 1991 and studied for the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) antigen by immunohistochemistry. CDV antigen was found in the brains of 54 (37%) mustelids, predominantly in the cerebellar grey matter. Interestingly, no CDV infection was observed in foxes. An increasing number of CDV infections among mustelids was noted between November 1989 and November 1990, peaking in summer 1990. Histological brain lesions, demonstrated only in 45% of the CDV positive mustelids, were characterized by non-purulent encephalitis predominantly in the cerebrum and focal vacuolation of the cerebellar white matter, whereas demyelination was only rarely observed. Histological and immunocytochemical CNS findings indicate an early stage of distemper infection in these mustelids and the high percentage of CDV positive animals together with the seasonal prevalence are suggestive of a CDV epizootic among mustelids.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
