Four decades of Canine Parvovirus research: A global bibliometric and science mapping study.

Abstract

Canine parvovirus (CPV) remains one of the most significant viral pathogens in veterinary medicine due to its high transmissibility and continuous genetic evolution. Despite more than four decades of intensive research, a data-driven assessment of how global research priorities align with the virus's evolving epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics is still lacking. This study presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of global CPV research published between 1980 and 2024, aiming to identify dominant research themes, collaboration structures, and critical knowledge gaps. A total of 818 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection were analysed using the Bibliometrix R package. The findings reveal a highly centralised but stable research ecosystem, predominantly led by the United States and Italy, with a strong emphasis on molecular characterisations, VP2 gene variants, and vaccine-related studies. Thematic evolution analysis demonstrates a clear transition from early clinicopathological descriptions toward molecular epidemiology and evolutionary surveillance. However, a key imbalance emerges: although CPV research increasingly adopts a One Health perspective, scientific output remains disproportionately concentrated in a limited number of high-income regions, systematically under-representing areas with potentially high disease burden and surveillance needs. In conclusion, this study maps the historical and conceptual evolution of CPV research while explicitly identifying neglected domains in global surveillance and geographical coverage. These findings provide a strategic evidence base for researchers, funding agencies, and policy stakeholders to recalibrate research priorities toward emerging variants, under-investigated regions, and integrated One Health-oriented surveillance frameworks.