title: Serological and biomolecular survey on canine herpesvirus-1 infection in a dog breeding kennel.
abstract: Canine herpesvirus-1 (CaHV-1) is a globally distributed pathogen causing reproductive, respiratory, ocular and neurological disorders in adult dogs and neonatal death in puppies. This pathogen is considered poorly immunogenic, and neutralizing antibodies are found for only a short time following exposure. Further, seroprevalence can be affected by several epidemiological factors. A virological survey was conducted in a high-density population breeding kennel in Central Italy. There were several factors predisposing animals to CaHV-1 infection, such as age, number of pregnancies, experience with mating and dog shows, cases of abortion, management and environmental hygiene. Serum neutralization (SN) and nested PCR assays were used to estimate prevalence of CaHV-1. None of the submitted samples tested positive for nested PCR, and none of the sera tested CaHV-1 positive. No association was observed between antibody titers and risk factors, and no sign of viral reactivation was detected in either males or females. These results suggest that CaHV-1 is not circulating within this kennel and that further studies are needed in order to better understand the distribution of the virus within Italy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia (PG), Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bottinelli
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rampacci
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stefanetti
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marenzoni
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Malmlov
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coletti
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Passamonti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002184:Herpesvirus 1, Canid; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary