ALEUTIAN DISEASE OF MINK .1. EVIDENCE OF ITS VIRAL ETIOLOGY

Abstract

Tissues of mink suffering Aleutian disease yielded a transmissible agent capable of passing a Seitz sterilizing pad and a 450 m[mu] millipore filter. The same material failed to pass a 100 m[mu]. millipore filter. The transmission trials were carried out successfully in both standard dark-type mink and Aleutian type, although the disease developed more quickly in the latter. Aleutian disease bears characteristics similar to scrapie in sheep.