Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine enteric coronavirus found in dogs in southern Italy
By Ferrara, Gianmarco et al.·Published in Scientific reports·2026·Department of Veterinary Science, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serological and molecular evidence of canine enteric coronavirus in southern Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in southern Italy found that many dogs are exposed to canine enteric coronavirus (CECoV), which can cause serious stomach issues. Out of 258 dogs tested, 139 showed signs of exposure through blood tests, but only a small number had the virus detected in their feces. Hunting dogs and those that spend a lot of time outdoors were more likely to test positive. This suggests that CECoV is common in certain areas, and pet owners should be aware of the risks, especially for dogs with outdoor lifestyles.
People also search for: dog stomach virus symptoms · canine enteric coronavirus treatment · outdoor dog health risks
Abstract
Canine enteric coronavirus (CECoV) is one of the most common viruses in dogs, causing gastrointestinal disorders and, in severe cases, death. Despite being a main pathogen, research on its distribution is limited, particularly in some geographical locations, such as Campania region (southern Italy). This study investigated the serological and molecular prevalence of this virus, as well as the risk factors associated with higher exposures. A total of 258 blood and 154 fecal samples from 71 districts were collected, along with anamnestic information such as sex, breed, size, location, age, origin, lifestyle, and attitude. The serological and molecular prevalence were determined using a commercial ELISA and a previously established real-time PCR method. A total of 139/258 dogs tested positive in serological analysis, nevertheless only 5.8% tested positive in real-time PCR. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that hunting dogs and dogs with an outdoor lifestyle had higher seroprevalences. Furthermore, dogs in some locations had seroprevalences of up to 85%, including the bulk of PCR-positive animals. The findings of this study emphasized the widespread prevalence of CECoV in the studied area, as well as the presence of current outbreaks across several districts.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41519913/