Royal pastel mink respond variously to inoculation with Aleutian disease virus of low virulence

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Abstract
Information was sought on the varied responses of royal pastel mink (a non-Aleutian genotype) to Aleutian disease virus of low virulence. Of 20 yearling female pastel mink inoculated s.c. with a large amount of the Pullman strain of Aleutian disease virus, only 3 succumbed to the disease. Of the other 17 mink, 3 had neither viremia nor a rise in level of serum .gamma.-globulin during the 24 wk after inoculation. The other 14 mink were viremic for variable periods during the first 12 wk. In only 5 mink was the viremia accompanied by elevated levels of serum .gamma.-globulin, usually from week 8 on. Of the 16 subclinically infected mink that did not succumb to intercurrent disease and otherwise remained healthy, 9 were examined at 19-31 mo. for persisting virus. In only 1 mink, small amounts were detected in the mesenteric lymph node and spleen nearly 28 mo. after inoculation. The other 7 mink that survived the infection were not protected when challenged 31 mo. later with a small amount of the highly virulent Utah-1 strain. Even though still poorly understood, these varied responses of the royal pastel mink to infection with Aleutian disease virus of low virulence have important pathogenetic and epidemiological implications.