Lack of detectable West Nile virus RNA in brains and kidneys of dogs and cats with immunohistological precipitates using virus-specific antibodies

Five dogs and four cats from Germany suffering from encephalitis revealed positive immunoreactivity using two West Nile virus (WNV) specific monoclonal antibodies in brain and in kidney. However, WNV-infection could not be confirmed by additional PCR analyses. This study indicated that positive immunoreactivity for WNV in dogs and cats must be interpreted cautiously and should be confirmed by a second virus-specific technique.