[Immunoglobulin (IgG) allotypes of the American mink with Aleutian disease]

Mink Aleutian disease (AD) is characterized by intensive proliferation of B-lymphocytes and hypergammaglobulinemia. Populational distribution of five genetic immunoglobulin markers (light chain allotype L1 and C gamma-allotypes H2, H3, H6 and H8) in minks of different coat color (Sapphire, Standard and Topaz) was studied. The groups of infected minks differed significantly from healthy ones in the distribution of the H3 allotype: the frequencies of some phenotypes--H3, H6, H8 and L1, H3, H6, H8 (Sapphire, Standard). H2, H3, H6, H8 and L1, H2, H3, H6, H8 (Sapphire) were increased significantly. At the same time, the frequencies of H6, H8; L1, H6, H8 and H2, H6, H8; L1, H2, H6, H8 were decreased in the AD population. The preferential stimulation of proliferation of the H3 + B-lymphocyte clones is suggested.