Immunohistochemical detection of canine distemper virus in haired skin, nasal mucosa, and footpad epithelium: a method for antemortem diagnosis of infection

A reliable antemortem diagnostic method is needed for determining infection with canine distemper virus (CDV). The utility of immunohistochemical dete ction of CDV antigen was examined was examined for samples of nasal and foo tpad epithelium and haired skin in dogs with and without detectable CDV ant igen in the lung and/or brain. Tissues from 57 dogs at risk of CDV infectio n were tested. Viral antigen was found in the lung and/or brain of 28 dogs. Among these dogs, viral antigen was demonstrated in the epithelial cells o f the nasal mucosa in 24 of 27 dogs, in the footpad epithelium in 24 of 26 dogs, and in the haired skin of the dorsal neck in 26 of 27 dogs. Among the 29 dogs without CDV antigen in either the lung or brain, 1 dog had positiv e staining for viral antigen in the skin and nasal mucosa. Biopsies of hair ed skin of the dorsal neck, which is relatively simple to sample, can be us ed for antemortem immunohistochemical testing for acute and subacute infect ion with CDV.