Canine parvovirus

Test code: S0091 - Qualitative detection of canine parvovirus by polymerase chain reaction

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral infection in canids and felines. The virus is transmitted by oral ingestion of viral contaminated feces. Several studies have shown that canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia virus may undergo mutual interspecies transmission between dogs and cats, and it is postulated that they may cause disease in some adventitious hosts.

The incidence of the disease is highest in young dogs and tends to start some time after the pup has lost its maternal antibody. Any age can be infected but most dogs are infected between the ages of 2 and 6 months when maternal antibody decreases below a protective level. Symptoms are usually mild to nonexistent. However, a full blown case of parvovirus untreated can easily be fatal.

Once inside the body, the virus infects local lymph nodes, quickly multiplies and then via the blood moves to the small intestine where signs of the disease begin in approximately 5-6 days. The virus damages the lining of the small intestine leading to breakdown of crucial disease defense barriers and disturbance of digestive enzyme secretion and nutrient absorption. Additionally, the normal bacterial flora of the small intestine which aid in digestion are now exposed to ulcerated mucosa, providing a direct route into the blood stream. Fluid loss from both vomiting and diarrhea is dramatic and dehydration ensues. The onslaught of bacteria and toxins into the blood will ultimately cause death.

Because of the severity of parvovirus-induced disease and the highly contagious nature of the virus, several assays have been developed to detect the virus in the feces of infected canids. Usually, feces from diarrheic dogs are screened using ELISA or hemagglutination (HA) assays, but these techniques have very low sensitivity. In contrast, methods based on detection of viral DNA by PCR have been shown to be more sensitive and specific.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Help ensure that animal groups and populations are free of canine parvovirus
• Early prevention of spread of this virus among a population
• Minimize human exposure to this virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from susceptible animals

Specimen requirement: 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD (yellow top) tube, or 0.5 ml feces, or rectal swab, or 0.5 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.

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 PCR

Normal range: Nondetected