title: Influence of transplacentally acquired antibody on neonatal susceptibility to canine distemper virus in gnotobiotic dogs.
abstract: In utero acquistion of protective levels of neutralizing antibody to canine distemper virus (CDV) was observed in four litters of colostrum-deprived gnotobiotic and specific-pathogen-free puppies. Pregnant bitches with high antibody titers passively transferred antibody to these pups transplacentally in average titers of 1:7 to 1:16 per litter. Maternally derived antibody protected neonatal pups from otherwise fatal infection with virulent CDV. Protection was associated with a transient lymphopenia and viremia and temporary suppression of lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin-P.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003126:Colostrum; D004216:Distemper / Q000276:immunology*; D004217:Distemper Virus, Canine / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral