Effects of canine parvovirus strain variations on diagnostic test results and clinical management of enteritis in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of canine parvovirus (CPV) strains among dogs with enteritis admitted to a referral hospital in the southwestern United States during an 11-month period and to compare diagnostic test results, disease severity, and patient outcome among CPV strains.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
72 dogs with histories and clinical signs of parvoviral enteritis.


METHODS
For each dog, a fecal sample or rectal swab specimen was evaluated for CPV antigen via an ELISA. Subsequently, fecal samples (n = 42 dogs) and pharyngeal swab specimens (16) were obtained and tested for CPV antigen via an ELISA and CPV DNA via a PCR assay. For specimens with CPV-positive results via PCR assay, genetic sequencing was performed to identify the CPV strain.


RESULTS
56 dogs tested positive for CPV via ELISA or PCR assay. For 42 fecal samples tested via both ELISA and PCR assay, 27 had positive results via both assays, whereas 6 had positive PCR assay results only. Ten pharyngeal swab specimens yielded positive PCR assay results. Genetic sequencing was performed on 34 fecal or pharyngeal swab specimens that had CPV-positive PCR assay results; 25 (73.5%) were identified as containing CPV type-2c, and 9 (26.5%) were identified as containing CPV type-2b. No association was found between CPV strain and disease severity or clinical outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
CPV type-2b and CPV type-2c posed similar health risks for dogs; therefore, genetic sequencing of CPV does not appear necessary for clinical management of infected patients. The diagnostic tests used could detect CPV type-2c.
VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona, 1648 N Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201, USA. Jessica.markovich@tufts.edu
Jessica E
JE
Markovich
Karla M
KM
Stucker
Alaina H
AH
Carr
Carole E
CE
Harbison
Janet M
JM
Scarlett
Colin R
CR
Parrish
D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D004751:Enteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017993:Parvovirus, Canine / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index