[The distribution of epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF) viral antigen in tissues from EHF autopsies].

Tissues from twelve cases of epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF) autopsies between 1962 and 1986 were examined for the distribution of EHF viral antigen by double bridge peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) method and avidin biotin conjugate peroxidase technique. EHF viral antigen was found frequently in the brain, kidney, heart, lung, liver, spleen, adrenal gland and pancreas. Viral antigen was also detected in the cerebellum, spinal cord, pituitary gland, stomach, trachea, lymph nodes and tonsils in some of the cases. The positive cells were found mainly in the endothelia of capillaries and small blood vessels. Only a few parenchymal cells showed positive reaction. However, epithelia of renal tubules, alveolar cells of pancreas and some endocrine glands (adrenal, thyroid and pituitary, etc) were positive. The distribution of viral antigen was not fully consistent with the degree of pathologic changes in the tissues.