Nosocomial Outbreak of Serious Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) Caused by Canine Herpesvirus Infection

Abstract

Canine herpesvirus (CHV; Canid herpesvirus 1) is principally a perinatal pathogen of pregnant bitches and newborn pups and secondarily a respiratory tract pathogen of older pups and dogs. Infectious disease of the canine respiratory tract frequently occurs among dogs in groups, in which it is called " infectious tracheobronchitis" (ITB). Mortality from ITB is generally negligible, and the clinical importance of CHV as an ITB pathogen is considered to be low. The present report describes a novel ITB outbreak accompanied by death among aged dogs in an animal medical center. Most inpatient dogs had received medications that could induce immunosuppression. CHV was the only pathogen identified, and several CHV isolates were recovered in cell culture. No other viral pathogens or significant bacterial pathogens were found. Molecular and serological analyses revealed that the causative CHV isolates were from a single source but that none was a peculiar strain when the strains were compared with previous CHV strains. The virus had presumably spread among the dogs predisposed to infection in the center. The present results serve as a warning to canine clinics that, under the specific set of circumstances described, such serious CHV outbreaks may be expected wherever canine ITB occurs.

Viral molecular and pathological investigations ofCanid herpesvirus1 infection associated respiratory disease and acute death in dogs

“…CaHV-1 infection in adult to senior dogs was previously reported to cause mild respiratory symptoms that were localized and self-limited [21]. However, the evidence that CaHV-1 infection can induce a fatal systemic disease in adult dogs is increasing [9,16,20]. These fi ndings can be explained by immunocompromised conditions, including infection, disease, under stress and aging, which then resulted in viral reactivation and shedding.…”

“…In Asia, a CaHV-1 serological survey was fi rst reported in Korea and ranged from 18-70% depending on the region [34]. In Japan, PCR-based CaHV-1 detection showed 12.8% positive CaHV-1 infections in inpatient dogs that presented with nosocomial infections during hospitalization and caused acute tracheobronchitis [16].Therefore, this investigation increased the data on CaHV-1 prevalence in Asia using molecular and pathological characterizations in dogs in Thailand. Since 2003, a commercial inactivated subunit vaccine against CaHV-1 has been available in Europe and is recommended to use in pregnant bithces [35], but it is still unlicensed in several countries, including Thailand.…”

“…Although there have been some reports to suggest that the respiratory problems in CaHV-1-infected dogs can be self-limited or even fatal worldwide [16], the fundamental data regarding CaHV-1 circulation in Thailand remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the CaHV-1 infections with genetic characterization in live respiratory distressed dogs as well as CaHV-1 investigations in acute dead puppies.…”

Fatal Canid Herpesvirus 1 Respiratory Infections in 4 Clinically Healthy Adult Dogs

“…Most cases in adult animals occur in immunosuppressed dogs undergoing cancer chemotherapy 15 or dogs under stressful conditions such as corticosteroid medication, radiation therapy, or surgery. 11 The present report describes 4 cases of fatal CaHV-1 infections in 2 adult Golden Retrievers (aged 6 years and 9 years), one 13-year-old Dalmatian, and a 5-year-old Mastiff. CaHV-1 was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation, and transmission electron microscopy.…”

Multi‐drug‐resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus‐Acinetobacter baumannii complex infection outbreak in dogs and cats in a veterinary hospital

“…, Kawakami et al . , Ruple‐Czerniak et al . ), endemic data are very limited due to insufficient awareness and surveillance systems.…”