From:
Chris Lloyd
Date: 2002-02-27 08:03:00 UTC
Subject: RE: Re: re:adv tests-validity
The problem with all the Aleutian tests is that the ferrets
can test positive one day and test negative less than 28 days
later or the other way about. In the UK Harlan Labs exposed
mink to the Aleutian virus until the mink tested positive,
they were then tested every month for the next year while
being kept in isolation. One mink tested positive one month
then tested negative for the next 6 months before again
testing positive. I know mink are not ferrets but the Dr that
was giving the lecture said he thought they were closely
related enough for the results to be the same for both types
of animals. The CEP test was used, he said he thought the
inconsistent results were mainly due to the strange behaviour
of the Aleutian virus. Chris.