Recently, 2 mink farmers with vascular disease and microangiopathy, similar to conditions in mink with
Aleutian disease, were found to have AMDV-specific antibodies and were AMDV DNA positive, suggesting a potential relationship between AMDV and human symptoms (12).
The splenic and nodal plasmacytosis and plasmacytic glomerulonephritis also prompted testing for
Aleutian disease virus (ADV).
Aleutian disease (AD) is known to produce clinical signs in mink and ferrets only (2,3), although other mammals have reportedly been antibody positive.
Antibodies to Aleutian disease virus in human sera.
Counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis is an alternative diagnostic screening test to counter current electrophoresis in Aleutian disease (AD) eradication programs.