Il cimurro del cane: aspetti diagnostici e scelta dei campioni in funzione della dinamica virologica e sierologica

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the cause of a severe and highly contagious disease in dogs. The unpredictable and variable course of CDV-related disease may hamper correct diagnosis of infection and makes it crucial the collection of samples suitable for laboratory confirmation. By the way, considering the great infectious potential of the disease, the detection of CDV from different biological specimens is essential of determining subsequent patient management. In this note, the clinical findings, the virological and serological results of natural CDV infection in two dogs from an outbreak observed in a kennel are reported. We were able to follow canine distemper disease in two naturally infected dogs, collecting different biological matrices during the entire period of infection. Whole blood, urine, rectal, nasal and conjunctival swabs were screened for viral excretion by real time-PCK Serum samples were collected once a week and tested in virus neutralisation and ELISA assays. By real time-PCR, viral RNA was detected and quantified, suggesting that urine and rectal swabs would be useful for ante-mortem diagnosis of distemper in dogs, regardless of the clinical stage and form of the illness.