Direct immunofluorescence testing for immunoglobulin deposits in haired skin, nasal planum and footpads of woodchuck hepatitis virus-infected woodchucks with chronic hepatitis and multiple hepatocellular carcinomas.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of immunoglobulin deposition in the haired skin, footpads, and nasal planums of 10 WHV-infected woodchucks with chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma and compare these results with those reported in humans. Immunoglobulin deposition was detected in the skin samples of 3 of 10 woodchucks. Granular deposits were revealed in the superficial dermal blood vessels of the nasal planum, lateral thoracic skin, and footpads in 1 animal each. In 1 of these animals, (lateral thorax) immunoglobulin deposition was concurrently present at the basement membrane zone.