First genetic detection and characterization of canine parvovirus type 2 (Carnivore protoparvovirus 1) in southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The species Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 includes viruses, e.g. canine parvovirus (CPV-2) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), which are among the most relevant for pets, causing extremely severe clinical signs and high fatality rate in dogs and cats. Moreover, a broad range of wild hosts, including endangered ones, were proven to be susceptible. Currently, no data on CPV-2 molecular epidemiology and strain characterization are available in Ethiopia, also considering the frequent contacts between domestic and wild populations. In the present study, a molecular epidemiology survey was performed on 92 fecal samples collected from domestic (n = 84) and stray (n = 8) dogs in southwestern Ethiopia in 2021. Approximately, 10% of the samples tested positive and the complete VP2 sequences of 5 strains were obtained, classified within the CPV-2a (n = 1) and CPV-2c (n = 4) antigenic variants. In most instances, the closest genetic relatives were strains of Chinese origin, which is fully compatible with the intense relationships that have been developing between the two countries, involving human being travels and their pets as well. Considering the clinical relevance of this infection and the risk it poses to local domestic and wild carnivore populations, especially endangered ones, much stronger monitoring and surveillance activity on foreign incoming animals should be performed. More strict constraints on animal introduction, e.g. compulsory vaccination, should also be considered.

Not Asian Anymore: Reconstruction of the History, Evolution, and Dispersal of the “Asian” Lineage of CPV-2c

“…Epidemiological links mediated by both human and animal movement between Asia and Europe have been proven for several companion animal infections, including CPV-2 [ 28 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. Similarly, the rising political, economic, and cultural interactions occurring between Asian (especially China) and African countries might have favored the introduction of this lineage, as previously suggested [ 48 , 55 ].…”

“…This finding confirms the huge spreading potential that has characterized the history of CPV-2 and, thus, the need for more effective and systematic monitoring activities to promptly detect and effectively react to emerging viruses. In fact, the increase in population size also mirrored the viral introduction to new areas of the world, and strains belonging to this lineage have been reported particularly in Asia [ 30 , 51 , 52 ], Europe [ 25 , 27 , 29 , 53 ], and Africa [ 31 , 54 , 55 ], although there is also a report from North America [ 12 ]. Furthermore, in recent years, an increasing number of studies from Asia have highlighted not only the progressive spread of the Asian CPV-2c lineage but also the progressive replacement of the circulating CPV-2 strains by this lineage, as if it had potentially greater viral fitness [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ].…”

Molecular epidemiology of canine parvovirus type 2 in Sicily, southern Italy: A geographical island, an epidemiological continuum

“…Simultaneously, a new CPV-2c variant, also defined as “Asian” or “of Asian origin” started to rapidly spread within Asian countries [ 53 ]. In subsequent years, this Asian lineage has been detected also in non-Asian countries, such as Italy [ 14 ] and other European countries [ 50 , 54 ], Africa [ 24 , [55] , [56] , [57] ], and North America [ 58 ]. As observed in this study, since 2020, a rapid trend of transition from CPV-2a/CPV-2b to CPV-2c predominance was documented also in different Asian countries [ [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] ].…”

Epidemiological, and molecular investigation of Canine parvovirus-2 infection in Egypt

“…The phylogenetic tree showed that the CPV-2b strain (KES-5) clustered with Egyptian, Thai, Nigerian, South Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian CPV-2b strains, which agrees with those of Zaher et al [ 18 ] and Elbaz et al [ 20 ]. Tegegne et al [ 46 ] reported that the findings of this strong antigenic similarity between the genotypes of Egyptian and Southeastern Asian countries may be attributed to the strong economic relationship between these countries, with several Chinese business people traveling between these geographic regions, sometimes with their pets.…”