Evaluation of infection with N protein-specific Immunoglobulin M and G in naturally occurring distemper in dogs

Abstract

In dogs, canine distemper has a worldwide distribution with high morbidity/mortality, despite the widespread usage of vaccines and has no specific treatment. In susceptible animals with the canine distemper virus, respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system disorders, immunosuppression and cutaneous lesions can also be seen. Especially puppies and unvaccinated dogs are prone to get the viral infection. IgM and IgG antibodies constitute the major component of the natural antibodies produced during the primary and secondary antibody response that have long been recognised to inhibit viral infections. In the present study, the presence of the viral N protein-specific IgM and IgG was investigated by indirect ELISA in naturally infected dogs. Moreover, the rate of outbreaks in naturally infected dogs was shown by the detection of new and re-infections. In the Western Mediterranean region, blood serum samples were collected from 50 unvaccinated dogs for the mentioned infection between 2015 and 2017. At 0–12 months, in the dogs with clinical symptoms, the indirect ELISA detected 4% acute, 54% early convalescent, 40% late convalescent and 2% no infections phases. The clinical manifestations were studied in four main groups follow as: respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous and cutaneous symptoms. The evaluation showed that the canine distemper virus N protein-specific antibodies detection by the indirect ELISA is quick and safe in naturally infected dogs. In conclusion, the method is very useful for the pre-diagnosis of the disease when evaluated together with the clinical symptoms. It helps to distinguish acute and convalescent (early/late) phases. Distinguishing these phases of infection is important for monitoring the spread of the outbreaks and identifying the risk of severe forms of canine distemper.

Detection of canine distemper virus in stray and pet dogs in Mosul city, Iraq

“…CDD is over all world distribution with highly morbidity/mortality in spite of vaccinated animals and has no specific treatment (7). In this study different forms of CDV inclusion bodies were detected within erythrocytes and neutrophils based on microscopic examination of blood smears.…”

“…In addition, Acosta-Jamett et al (27) revealed that a maintained canine population management and pet possession are the only arrangements to reduce canine population, which would, in turn, reduce canine-wildlife interactions and outcomes pathogen spreading. On the other hand, Saltik and Kale, (7) and Dorji et al (15) mentioned that no significant difference in the prevalence of CDD between stray and pet dogs. In particular, vaccination programmes for pet dogs are more used in private veterinary clinics.…”

“…There are numerous studies which detected the prevalence of CDV in different countries. In Turkey, 94% IgG and 58% IgM positive samples were detected by the CDV-specific indirect ELISA in the 50 serum samples (7), in Iran was 17.52% using IFA (22), in Haa, Western Bhutan was 11.3% using ELISA test (15), and in Mizoram, India was as1.11% using the antigen rapid CD virus Ag test kit (23). Moreover, in Brazil, the detection rate of CDV in urine samples was 100% in symptomatic dogs tested using One-Step RT-qPCR (24).…”

“…In addition, transplacental transmission in dogs but it is not common way of spreading the infection (6). Dogs infected with canine distemper suffer from respiratory and/ or gastrointestinal signs with or without neurological signs, immunosuppression and skin lesions also can be seen (7). Deaths due to the CDD depend on the virulence of the virus and the specific characteristics of the host, including age, immune status and vaccination status (2), The mortality rate in adult dogs is 50% and in infected puppies it is 80% (8).…”

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“…RNA of infectious agents is successfully extracted from various biological fluids, tissues, and from the environment such as soil, water, and food. PCR is effective in detecting bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses ( Saltik & Kale, 2020;Worsley-Tonks et al, 2021). R. Uakhit et al (2022) state that the PCR method is characterised by a sensitivity sufficient to detect 10-100 pg of viral RNA in a sample.…”