Occurrence of canine parvovirus-2 variants in Abruzzo region [Indagine sulla diffusione delle nuove varianti del parvovirus canino tipo 2 in Abruzzo]

Aim of the study - The diagnostic investigation results for canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) infection in symptomatic dogs are reported, in order to evaluate the presence and the distribution of the viral variants in the canine population of Abruzzo region. Materials and methods - One hundred and four faecal samples were analyzed by conventional and real-time PCR with minor groove binder (MGB) probes. Results - CPV-2 DNA was detected in 55 (52,8%) samples and 31 (56,3%) CPV-2a, 1 (1,8%) CPV-2b and 23 (41,8%) CPV-2c strains were identified by real-time PCR with MGB probes.The distribution of CPV-2 over the sampling years appears different in relation to each variant. Conclusions - CPV-2 is an important causative agent of gastroenteritis in dogs of the Abruzzo region and the CPV-2a was the most prevalent variant. However, it appears that the CPV-2c occurrence is growing, while CPV-2b is poorly widespread. In conclusion, the monitoring of the parvovirus infection in dogs population is useful to verify the evolution of the geographic distribution of the CPV-2 variants and to evaluate the efficacy of the prophylactic measures performed to control the disease.