title: Immunopathogenic and neurological mechanisms of canine distemper virus.
abstract: Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV), which is a member of the Morbillivirus genus, Paramyxoviridae family. Animals that most commonly suffer from this disease belong to the Canidae family; however, the spectrum of natural hosts for CDV also includes several other families of the order Carnivora. The infectious disease presents worldwide distribution and maintains a high incidence and high levels of lethality, despite the availability of effective vaccines, and no specific treatment. CDV infection in dogs is characterized by the presentation of systemic and/or neurological courses, and viral persistence in some organs, including the central nervous system (CNS) and lymphoid tissues. An elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in canine distemper disease will lead to a better understanding of the injuries and clinical manifestations caused by CDV. Ultimately, further insight about this disease will enable the improvement of diagnostic methods as well as therapeutic studies.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Veterinária (IV), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil ; Laboratório de Virologia Molecular Animal (LVMA), Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Otávio Valério
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Clarisse Vieira
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Botelho
authors.forename: Caroline Gracielle Torres
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Paulo Oldemar
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Jamária Adriana Pinheiro
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Soares-Martins
authors.forename: Márcia Rogéria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Abelardo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva Júnior