Transmissible mink encephalopathy: studies on the peripheral lymphocyte.
Circulating lymphocytes from mink with transmissible mink encephalopathy were studied for the presence of virus particles and for infectivity. Electron microscope examination of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte cultures revealed no evidence of virus-like particles. Circulating lymphocytes were also found to be noninfectious when the transmissible agent could be demonstrated in intact lymphoid organs in infected mink. A lymphopenia was detected in affected mink during the late clinical stage of disease, but this was most likely a secondary effect due to a terminal stress factor.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008907:Mink; D011328:Prions / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012608:Scrapie / Q000097:blood*; D012756:Sheep
D037102:Lectins; D011328:Prions