Diagnostic methods for canine parvovirus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of different laboratory methods for diagnosing parvovirus infection in dogs. Experimental infection was induced in 12 puppies. After the onset of manifest disease symptoms, the dogs were subjected to daily clinical observation, and virus detection was performed using immunochromatography and haemmaglutination test, while immunofluorescence was applied for the detetion of the virus within the intestinal epithelium. The clinical form of the parvovirus infection was provoked in all dogs that were in contact with sick animals, and all affected animals died. Symptoms observed in affected dogs included apathy, appetite loss, vomiting, dehydration and profuse, haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Immunochromatography and haemagglutination confirmed the presence of the virus in the faeces one day after manifestation of clinical symptoms in 100% of the affected dogs. On day 2 the virus was detected in 85% and 53% of the sick animals by the methods of haemagglutination and immunochromatography, respectively. Before death, the virus was detected by haemagglutination and immunochromatography in 61% and 15% dogs, respectively. Immunofluorescence assay revealed the presence of the virus in tissue samples of small intestines in all infected animals.