Evolutionary dynamics of canine kobuvirus in Vietnam and Thailand reveal the evidence of viral ability to evade host immunity.

Canine kobuvirus (CaKoV) is a pathogen associated with canine gastrointestinal disease (GID). This study examined 327 rectal swabs (RS), including 113 from Vietnam (46 healthy, 67 with GID) and 214 from Thailand (107 healthy and 107 with GID). CaKoV was detected in both countries, with prevalences of 28.3% (33/113) in Vietnam and 7.9% (17/214) in Thailand. Additionally, CaKoV was found in both dogs with diarrhea and healthy dogs. CaKoV was mainly found in puppies under six months of age (30.8%). Co-detection with other canine viruses were also observed. The complete coding sequence (CDS) of nine Vietnamese and four Thai CaKoV strains were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close genetic relationship between Vietnamese and Thai CaKoV strains, which were related to the Chinese strains. CDS analysis indicated a distinct lineage for two Vietnamese CaKoV strains. Selective pressure analysis on the viral capsid (VP1) region showed negative selection, with potential positive selection sites on B-cell epitopes. This study, the first of its kind in Vietnam, provides insights into CaKoV prevalence in dogs of different ages and healthy statuses, updates CaKoV occurrence in Thailand, and sheds light on its molecular characteristics and immune evasion strategies.

Canine bufavirus (Carnivore protoparvovirus-3) infection in dogs with respiratory disease.

Canine bufavirus (CBuV) or Carnivore protoparvovirus-3, a nonenveloped DNA virus belonging to the genus Protoparvovirus, family Parvoviridae, has been identified in dogs with respiratory and enteric diseases. Although CBuV detection has been reported in multiple countries, descriptions of pathologic findings associated with infection have not yet been provided. In this study, the authors necropsied 14 dogs (12 puppies and 2 adult dogs) from a breeding colony that died during multiple outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Postmortem investigations revealed extensive bronchointerstitial pneumonia with segmental type II pneumocyte hyperplasia in all necropsied puppies but less severe lesions in adults. With negative results of common pathogen detection by ancillary testing, CBuV DNA was identified in all investigated dogs using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Quantitative PCR demonstrated CBuV DNA in several tissues, and in situ hybridization (ISH) indicated CBuV tissue localization in the lung, tracheobronchial lymph node, and spinal cord, suggesting hematogenous spread. Dual CBuV ISH and cellular-specific immunohistochemistry were used to determine the cellular tropism of the virus in the lung and tracheobronchial lymph node, demonstrating viral localization in various cell types, including B-cells, macrophages, and type II pneumocytes, but not T-cells. Three complete CBuV sequences were successfully characterized and revealed that they clustered with the CBuV sequences obtained from dogs with respiratory disease in Hungary. No additional cases were identified in small numbers of healthy dogs. Although association of the bufavirus with enteric disease remains to be determined, a contributory role of CBuV in canine respiratory disease is possible.