Studies on Canine Parvovirus Isolation, Experimental Infection and Serologic Survey

Abstract

Nineteen strains of canine parvovirus (CPV) were isolated in primary feline kidney cell and/or Crandell feline kidney (CRFK) cell cultures from 52 dogs clinically suspected of the CPV infection in 1979/1980. They were derived from feces and various tissues of dogs, regardless of age, and were serologically indistinguishable from feline panleukopenia virus. Of 3 dogs exposed to experimental infection, 1 dog manifested severe symptoms, which were quite similar to those in natural infection, and died. The 1st clinical sign was vomiting, followed by hemorrhagic diarrhea, fever and remarkable leukopenia. Histopathologic changes were extensive loss of mucosa epithelium of the small intestine, villous atrophy and dilatation of crypts devoid of epithelial cells. A serologic survey was carried out on CPV infection in 369 dogs by the hemagglutination-shemagglutination-inhibition test. Antibody-positive canine sera first appeared in Jan., 1979. Since then, serologically positive dogs are apparently increasing in number of Japan.