Detection and Genetic Characterization of Canine Adenoviruses, Circoviruses, and Novel Cycloviruses From Wild Carnivores in Italy

Abstract

Wild carnivores are known to play a role in the epidemiology of several canine viruses, including canine adenoviruses types 1 (CAdV-1) and 2 (CAdV-2), canine circovirus (CanineCV) and canine distemper virus (CDV). In the present study, we report an epidemiological survey for these viruses in free ranging carnivores from Italy. A total of 262 wild carnivores, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), wolves (Canis lupus) and Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) were sampled. Viral nucleic acid was extracted and screened by real-time PCR assays (qPCR) for the presence of CAdVs and CanineCV DNA, as well as for CDV RNA. CAdV-1 DNA was detected only in red foxes (4/232, 1.7%) whilst the wolves (0/8, 0%) and Eurasian badgers (0/22, 0%) tested negative. CanineCV DNA was detected in 4 (18%) Eurasian badgers, 4 (50%) wolves and 0 (0%) red foxes. None of the animals tested positive for CDV or CAdV-2. By sequence and phylogenetic analyses, CAdV-1 and CanineCV sequences from wild carnivores were closely related to reference sequences from domestic dogs and wild carnivores. Surprisingly, two sequences from wolf intestines were identified as cycloviruses with one sequence (145.20-5432) displaying 68.6% nucleotide identity to a cyclovirus detected in a domestic cat, while the other (145.201329) was more closely related (79.4% nucleotide identity) to a cyclovirus sequence from bats. A continuous surveillance in wild carnivores should be carried out in order to monitor the circulation in wildlife of viruses pathogenic for domestic carnivores and endangered wild species.

Biomolecular Analysis of Canine Distemper Virus Strains in Two Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

“…In the last decade, the Europe/America-1 lineage continues to be reported in wild animals [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] along with the Europe Wildlife lineage [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], which has been almost completely replaced with the Arctic lineage in domestic dogs [ 3 , 38 , 44 ]. Most of these studies are limited to the northern/central regions of Italy, except for a study in domestic dogs [ 3 ], indicating the need to carry out further epidemiological evaluations of the wildlife in southern Italy in addition to the current limited studies [ 40 , 47 ].…”

Canine Parainfluenza Virus Infection in a Dog with Acute Respiratory Disease

“…The DNA extracts obtained from BALF were screened by PCR assay for Bb [ 9 ], Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus [ 10 ], Mycoplasma cynos and Mycoplasma canis [ 11 , 12 ], and by real-time PCR for canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) [ 13 ] and canine adenovirus 1 (CAdV-1) and 2 (CAdV-2) [ 14 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

Genetic characterisation of canine adenovirus type 1 in an 18‐month‐old mixed breed male dog and its effect on clinico‐pathology, hemato‐biochemistry and serum oxidant–antioxidant status

“…Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a disease of dogs, and reported from many countries including India, and is caused by canine adenovirus-1 (CAdV-1) belonging to the genus Mastadenovirus in the family Adenoviridae. 1 CAdV-1 was first reported in farmed foxes in 1930, followed by subsequent detection in diseased and healthy domestic and wild canidae. 2,3 ICH is highly contagious, often fatal and transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or through indirect exposure to contaminated saliva, respiratory secretions, urine and faeces.…”

“…Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a disease of dogs, and reported from many countries including India, and is caused by canine adenovirus‐1 (CAdV‐1) belonging to the genus Mastadenovirus in the family Adenoviridae 1 …”