title: Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1): clinical, serological and virological patterns in breeding colonies.
abstract: Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) is presumed to be enzootic in the dog population and is associated with reproductive disorders and neonatal mortality. To advise dog breeders towards an effective management of CHV-1 infected colonies, 27 breeding bitches were studied during one reproductive cycle in field conditions: the effect of cycle stage, kennel size, initial antibody titre, mating and gestation on serologic and viral excretion patterns was evaluated, while the association between reproductive disorders and CHV-1 antibody titres and viral excretion was also analysed. All initially seronegative bitches seroconverted, while 40% of the initially seropositive bitches became seronegative at one or two occasions. No difference in antibody patterns was observed between mated and unmated bitches. Of the mated bitches, 46% experienced infertility, foetal resorption or mummification. No difference in antibody patterns was observed depending on the occurrence of reproductive disorders even if a decrease in antibody titres during early or late-di-oestrus was often present. Significantly higher titres were observed at all cycle stages in large kennels. None of the vaginal and nasal samples or buffy coats tested positive for CHV-1 DNA. The mixed image of clinical and sub-clinical carriage in this study demonstrated CHV-1 has a complex and difficult to predict clinical behavior. Preventive management with vaccination of reproducing bitches in kennels with reproductive disorders should therefore be advised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Section Small Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Liège, Boulevard de Colonster 20, B44, 4000 Liège, Belgium. vronsse@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ronsse
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verstegen
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onclin
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aeberlé
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poulet
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001947:Breeding; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D002184:Herpesvirus 1, Canid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D009666:Nose / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral