Detection of immune complexes in the serum of dogs infected with canine adenovirus.

Evidence for the presence of circulating virus-immune complexes in dogs experimentally infected with canine adenovirus was found when deposits of canine IgG were present in the glomeruli of recipient mice. This passive transfer of complexes occurred only with serum taken at the height of the disease when antibody titres were low and when deposition of complexes in the donor dogs was maximal. Transfer of complexes was not obtained early in the disease (no circulating antibody and minimal deposition of complexes) nor later in the disease (high circulating antibody and minimal complex deposition).