A comprehensive molecular survey of viral pathogens associated with canine gastroenteritis.

Viral pathogens are the primary cause of canine gastroenteritis. However, few structured comprehensive studies on the viral etiology of canine gastroenteritis have been conducted. In this study, 475 rectal swabs collected over three years (2018-2021) from clinical canine gastroenteritis cases were screened for the presence of six major enteric viruses - canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus 2 (CAdV-2), canine coronavirus (CCoV), canine astrovirus (CaAstV), and canine rotavirus (CRV) - by real-time PCR. The most frequently detected virus was CPV-2, which was present in 64.8% of the samples (subtype 2a, 21.1%; 2b, 77.4%; 2c, 1.5%), followed by CDV (8%), CaAstV (7.2%), CCoV (5.9%), and CAdV-2 (4.6%). Two to four of these viruses in different combinations were found in 16.8% of the samples, and CRV was not detected. The complete genome sequences of Indian isolates of CDV, CCoV, and CaAstV were determined for the first time, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. This study highlights the need for routine prophylactic vaccination with the appropriate vaccines. Notably, 70.3% of animals vaccinated with DHPPiL were found to be positive for at least one virus. Hence, regular molecular analysis of the prevalent viruses is crucial for addressing vaccination failures.

Antiviral activity of canine interferon lambda 3 expressed using a recombinant adenovirus against canine coronavirus, canine parvovirus, and canine distemper virus.

Canine coronavirus (CCoV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) are highly contagious canine pathogens; dogs with these diseases are difficult to treat. In a previous study, we developed a recombinant adenovirus expressing canine interferon lambda 3 (Ad-caIFNλ3) in canine epithelial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of Ad-caIFNλ3 against CCoV, CPV, and CDV in two canine cell lines, A72 and MDCK. Ad-caIFNλ3 transduction suppressed replication of these viruses without cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that Ad-caIFNλ3 may be a therapeutic candidate for canine viral diseases.

Survey for Select Pathogens in the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) in California, USA.

Following a canine distemper virus (CDV) epizootic in 2011, serum samples of 45 live-trapped desert kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) from the Upper Chuckwalla Valley, California, US, were tested for the presence of antibodies against CDV, canine parvovirus (CPV), canine herpes virus (CHV), canine adenovirus (CAV-2), and Toxoplasma gondii. Fecal swabs were tested by PCR for CPV genomic material, and ocular and nasal swabs were assessed for genomic material of CDV, CHV, CAV-2, influenza virus (H3N8), parainfluenza, canine respiratory coronavirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Fourteen foxes (31.1%) were positive in at least one test, with exposure and/or infection confirmed for CDV (6/45, 13.3%), CPV (4/45, 8.9%), S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (4/45, 8.9%), and T. gondii (2/45, 4.4%). Study results were similar to results reported for kit foxes in other portions of their distribution. Further research with long-term regular testing is needed to understand disease dynamics in kit fox populations better.

Compatibility between a rabies vaccine and two canine combined vaccines against canine distemper, adenovirosis, parvovirosis, parainfluenza virus disease and leptospirosis, with or without canine coronavirus.

In many countries, vaccination programs still require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies in addition to Canine distemper virus (CDV), adenovirus (CAV), parvovirus (CPV), parainfluenza virus (CPiV), Leptospira (L) or Canine coronavirus (CCV= Cv). Few vaccines containing all these antigens are commercially available and, unless compatibility between the vaccines was demonstrated, concurrent administration of a DAPPi-L(Cv) vaccine and a vaccine against rabies should not be recommended. This may be of concern for practitioners who wish to vaccinate dogs with all components on the same day. This study aimed at evaluating immunological compatibility between a monovalent rabies vaccine (Rabisin™) and two large combination vaccines against CDV, CAV, CPV, CPiV with 2 leptospira components +Cv (Recombitek® C6/Cv) or with 4 Leptospira components (Recombitek® C8), when injected concomitantly at two separate injection sites. Fourteen days after administration of the rabies vaccine, with or without concomitant administration of combo vaccines, all dogs had seroconverted against rabies and maintained protective titers over the duration of the study. In addition, 100% of the puppies vaccinated with one or the other combo vaccines seroconverted against CDV, CAV, CPV, CPiV (CCV) and Leptospira, whatever the vaccination group. Lack of immunological interference between Rabisin™ and all components of the Recombitek® C6/Cv or Recombitek® C8 Combo vaccines was demonstrated by non-inferiority analysis, except for CDV in the Recombitek®C8+ Rabisin™ group. Based on these results, a concomitant administration of Rabisin™ with Recombitek® C6/Cv or Recombitek® C8 can be recommended in daily practice, which can be essential for facilitating vaccination compliance.