Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Best places to test dogs for parvovirus infection using PCR
By Gilad Segev et al.·Published in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·2022·Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Research and Development The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Effect of sampling site on the diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection in dogs using polymerase chain reaction
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 60 dogs suspected of having parvovirus infection were tested using samples taken from their rectum, blood, and throat. The tests showed that all dogs with parvovirus were positive in at least one sample site, with most testing positive in all three. Interestingly, the tests were less reliable shortly after puppies were vaccinated, but they became negative within a few weeks after the second vaccination. This study highlights that while testing for parvovirus is generally effective, the timing of vaccinations can affect results.
People also search for: dog parvovirus symptoms · puppy vaccination effects · how to test for parvovirus in dogs
Abstract
Abstract Background Accurate diagnosis is imperative in dogs with clinical signs of parvovirus infection (CPV‐2). Objectives To assess quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) for the diagnosis of CPV‐2 infection, and determine the optimal sampling site. Secondarily, to compare qRT‐PCR with a point‐of‐care PCR kit (PCRun), and to assess sensitivity of serology for CPV diagnosis. Animals Sixty dogs with naturally acquired parvovirus infection, 44 unvaccinated puppies, of which 16 were followed after first and second vaccination, 15 adult dogs, of which 10 were followed also after a booster vaccine, and 9 dogs with distemper virus infection. Methods Prospective study. Samples from the rectum, blood, and pharynx were obtained for PCR. Results All dogs with a clinical diagnosis of parvovirus infection were positive by qRT‐PCR in at least 1 sampling site (ie, rectum, blood, pharynx), and 50 (83%) of 60 were positive in all sites. qRT‐PCR was negative in 67 (99%) of 68 healthy puppies (before‐vaccination), puppies with distemper, and healthy adult dogs. Ten days after initial vaccination of puppies, 62% (fecal), 31% (blood), and 12% (pharyngeal) of samples were positive for CPV‐2 on qRT‐PCR. The proportion of positive pharyngeal samples decreased 20 days after vaccination and all sites were negative 12‐28 days after second vaccination. Vaccinated adults were negative before and after booster vaccination. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Molecular detection of CPV is sensitive, but specificity is hampered temporarily during the vaccination period. Blood, feces, and pharynx are suitable sampling sites. Fecal samples had the lowest sensitivity in sick dogs and highest positivity in puppies after vaccination.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16373