Immunofluorescence studies of canine distemper encephalitis on paraffin-embedded tissue.

A paraffin-embedding technique for fluorescent antibody studies of canine distemper encephalitis was developed. Specific fluorescence was demonstrated in all brain tissue from dogs with canine distemper, and when compared with tissue on cryostat sections, the paraffin-embedded tissue showed superior preservation of tissue architecture. The preservation of viral antigen was good, and the appearance of fluorescence in gray- and white-matter lesions was described. In gray matter, extensive fluorescence was found mainly in neurons; fluorescence in white matter was less extensive and was mainly associated with astrocytes.