Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New types of canine distemper virus found in sick dogs in Istanbul
By Liu, Xueying et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2025·Duke Kunshan University, China·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular epidemiology and emerging genotypes of canine distemper virus in Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in Istanbul, Türkiye, showed signs of illness including fever, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems, with 27.2% testing positive for canine distemper virus (CDV). Puppies under six months were particularly affected. The study found that a new strain of CDV, known as Arctic-like, is now the most common in the area, raising concerns about vaccine effectiveness. Ongoing monitoring of these strains is essential to ensure the health of dogs in the region.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious, globally distributed pathogen that remains a serious concern even with available vaccines. In Türkiye, reports of CDV outbreaks among vaccinated dogs suggest the emergence of genetically divergent strains. This study investigated CDV prevalence, clinical correlations, molecular characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships in Istanbul, Türkiye, using rectal swabs from 202 clinically ill dogs (2018–2023). RESULTS: Results revealed a 27.2% infection rate (55/202), with significantly higher prevalence in puppies (< 6 months; < 0.05). Clinical signs (fever, seizures, gastrointestinal distress) and hematological alterations (elevated neutrophils, reduced RBC counts) were strongly associated with infection ( < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin (H) gene revealed three circulating genotypes: Arctic-like (72%), Asia 1 (24%), and Europe (4%). Arctic-like strains clustered with Turkish and European variants, while Asia 1 strains closely matched Chinese lineages suggesting multiple introduction routes. Notably, amino acid substitutions in antigenic regions and glycosylation sites were identified, that may facilitate immune evasion, particularly concerning given Türkiye’s complex dog population dynamics. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the Arctic-like CDV lineage now dominates in Istanbul’s canine population. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology and genetic diversity of circulating CDV genotypes in Türkiye and its implications for vaccine efficacy. Continuous surveillance is critical to monitor emerging strains and optimize control strategies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-025-04963-x.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40855483/