title: Serological and molecular epidemiology of canine adenovirus type 1 in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom.
abstract: Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), a frequently fatal disease which primarily affects canids. In this study, serology (ELISA) and molecular techniques (PCR/qPCR) were utilised to investigate the exposure of free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to CAV-1 in the United Kingdom (UK) and to examine their role as a wildlife reservoir of infection for susceptible species. The role of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), primarily a respiratory pathogen, was also explored. In foxes with no evidence of ICH on post-mortem examination, 29 of 154 (18.8%) red foxes had inapparent infections with CAV-1, as detected by a nested PCR, in a range of samples, including liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and lung. CAV-1 was detected in the urine of three red foxes with inapparent infections. It was estimated that 302 of 469 (64.4%) red foxes were seropositive for canine adenovirus (CAV) by ELISA. CAV-2 was not detected by PCR in any red foxes examined. Additional sequence data were obtained from CAV-1 positive samples, revealing regional variations in CAV-1 sequences. It is concluded that CAV-1 is endemic in free-ranging red foxes in the UK and that many foxes have inapparent infections in a range of tissues.
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Walker
authors: Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Beltany Road, Coneywarren, Omagh BT78 5NF, UK.
authors: Seán A
authors: SA
authors: Fee
authors: Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, UK.
authors: Gill
authors: G
authors: Hartley
authors: National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Learmount
authors: Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, UK.
authors: Maria J H
authors: MJ
authors: O'Hagan
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Anna L
authors: AL
authors: Meredith
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Barend M
authors: BM
authors: de C Bronsvoort
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Thibaud
authors: T
authors: Porphyre
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Colin P
authors: CP
authors: Sharp
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: Adrian W
authors: AW
authors: Philbey
mesh_terms: D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D006516:Adenoviruses, Canine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005589:Foxes / Q000821:virology*; D006520:Hepatitis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral