Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nosocomial outbreak of serious canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) caused by canine herpesvirus infection.
- Journal:
- Journal of clinical microbiology
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Kawakami, Kazuo et al.
- Affiliation:
- Advanced Technology Development Center · Japan
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A recent outbreak of a serious respiratory illness known as infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB), commonly referred to as kennel cough, occurred in an animal medical center and was caused by canine herpesvirus (CHV). This virus usually affects pregnant dogs and newborn puppies but can also cause problems in older dogs, especially those with weakened immune systems. In this case, several older dogs became very sick and some even died, with CHV being the only pathogen found in their tests. The virus likely spread among the dogs in the center, and this situation highlights the need for vigilance in veterinary clinics, as similar outbreaks could happen in other places where dogs are treated for ITB. The treatment and management of this outbreak are still being assessed, but it serves as an important reminder about the risks associated with kennel cough in vulnerable populations.
Abstract
Canine herpesvirus (CHV; Canid herpesvirus 1) is principally a perinatal pathogen of pregnant bitches and newborn pups and secondarily a respiratory tract pathogen of older pups and dogs. Infectious disease of the canine respiratory tract frequently occurs among dogs in groups, in which it is called " infectious tracheobronchitis" (ITB). Mortality from ITB is generally negligible, and the clinical importance of CHV as an ITB pathogen is considered to be low. The present report describes a novel ITB outbreak accompanied by death among aged dogs in an animal medical center. Most inpatient dogs had received medications that could induce immunosuppression. CHV was the only pathogen identified, and several CHV isolates were recovered in cell culture. No other viral pathogens or significant bacterial pathogens were found. Molecular and serological analyses revealed that the causative CHV isolates were from a single source but that none was a peculiar strain when the strains were compared with previous CHV strains. The virus had presumably spread among the dogs predisposed to infection in the center. The present results serve as a warning to canine clinics that, under the specific set of circumstances described, such serious CHV outbreaks may be expected wherever canine ITB occurs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20107103/