Viral Plasmacytosis (Aleutian Disease) in Mink: IV. Cytoplasmic Glycoprotein Inclusions and Their Differentiation from the Viral Inclusions of Distemper.

The periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method was found to be a convenient stain for differentiating the specific intracytoplasmic inclusions of distemper from similar eosinophilic inclusions seen in plasmacytosis and occasionally in other disease conditions of mink. These latter inclusions stained strongly with PAS and appeared to be composed of glycoprotein. Although their significance is not known, it is probable that they represent abnormal globulins produced in great excess by the proliferating plasma cells. A pathogenetic hypothesis is offered.