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Infect Immun. 1973 November; 8(5): 819-827
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Myelin-Specific Autoantibodies Associated with Central Nervous System Demyelination in Canine Distemper Virus Infection

¹ Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210

ABSTRACT

Sera from dogs with spontaneously occurring and experimentally produced canine distemper virus-associated demyelinating encephalitis were examined for antibodies to central nervous system myelin by the complement fixation and indirect immunofluorescent methods. Complement-fixing immunoglobulin M antibodies and non-complement-fixing immunoglobulin G antibodies were found in 97% of the spontaneous cases. In comparison, only 28% of control sera contained these antibodies; furthermore, mean antibody titers in the control groups were significantly lower (P < 0.005) when compared to the distemper group. Complement-fixing antimyelin antibodies were also demonstrated in gnotobiotic dogs with experimentally induced distemper virus-associated demyelination. The antibody response could be correlated with clinicopathological features of the disease produced. Results of this study indicate that demyelination in canine distemper may proceed by immune mechanisms.