Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of CCV and CPV-2 infections in gastroenteritic dogs by using seminested PCR to detect CCV RNA and CPV-2 DNA in fecal specimens derived from gastroenteritic dogs and healthy dogs.

Materials & Methods

Seventy fecal samples from dogs with signs of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), twenty-five fecal samples from healthy dogs and one CPV-2 vaccine strain were amplified by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), aimed at specifically studying the gene encoding the most abundant capsid protein VP2 of CPV-2 and spike protein of CCV.

Results

Positive specimens comprised 44 samples (62.8%) and 9 samples (12.8%) for CPV-2 and CCV, respectively. In nine CCV positive samples, seven displayed co-infection between CCV and CPV-2. Our CCV sequence (AF482001) showed a 94.9% nucleotide identity to CCV reported in GenBank accession number D13096. High prevalence of CCV and CPV-2 infections was found in 1-2 month- and 3-6 month aged dogs, respectively.

Conclusion

Our principal interest was to use nested-PCR as methods to rapidly differentiate CCV or CPV-2 infections from other canine enteric pathogens, which can cause similar clinical illnesses. Definitive diagnosis is important primarily for epidemic control and preventative measures.