dog and cat assay data sheet

Canine respiratory coronavirus

Test code: S0134 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of canine respiratory coronavirus type 2 by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction.  This assay does not detect canine enteric coronavirus type 1.

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is an RNA virus that has recently been classified as group 2 coronavirus. Sequence analysis shows that this virus is genetically related to the bovine coronavirus that causes respiratory infections in cattle and the human coronavirus that causes the "common cold" in people. However, this virus is genetically distinct from the group 1 enteric coronavirus that can cause diarrhea in dogs.
 
Dogs infected with CRCoV usually develop mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Some infected dogs do not develop clinical signs but shed virus that can infect other dogs. These carriers are often the source of major outbreaks. Only a small number of infected dogs will develop pneumonia. From infection to disease onset may take one or two days to several weeks, depending on whether the infected dog is also co-infected with other pathogens.
 
CRCoV is highly contagious and is easily transmitted via the respiratory route. The likelihood of an outbreak significantly increases when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as at boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities, dog shows and racing kennels. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection.
 
Differential diagnosis is important to differentiate CRCoV from other common pathogens that can cause similar symptoms in dogs. Diagnosis of CRCoV infection cannot be based solely on clinical signs because these are very similar to those caused by other respiratory pathogens. Antigen or culture detection of the virus in respiratory samples is low in sensitivity and specificity (Erles and Brownlie, 2005). Molecular detection using PCR is a more effective means of rapid, sensitive and specific detection of this virus.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of canine respiratory coronavirus infection
• Ensure that canine populations are free of CRCoV
• Early prevention of spread of this virus among a canine facility or population
• Minimize human exposure to this virus

References:
Erles, K. and Brownlie, J. (2005) Investigation into the causes of canine infectious respiratory disease: antibody responses to canine respiratory coronavirus and canine herpesvirus in two kennelled dog populations. Arch. Virol. 150:1493-1504.

Specimen requirement: Nasal swab or throat swab.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected