Comparative study of fatal cases of canine parvovirus type ii in imported pups (Canis familiaris)

Abstract

The canine parvovirus is a disease caused by a virus of the family Parvoviridae. Currently there are recognized two antigenically distinct viruses’ variants: type 1 and type 2, the latter is considered more virulent than type 1. The virus replicates in lymphoid tissue and intestinal epithelial cells and occasionally in pups in the myocardium. Canine parvovirus (CPV) is considered to be resistant to the environment and various disinfectants. The canine parvovirus may cause severe enteritis in young animals and ocassionally myocarditis in young animals. The illness also develops anorexia, depression, vomiting and severe hemorrhagic diarrhea. Histopathological lesions generated in the intestine belong to severe acute necrotic enteritis. During the period from January to June 2013, canine cases were submitted to CIESA for a post mortem study, 12 corresponded to dead pups by fatal diarrheas, 9 pups were imported immunized against diseases of clinical importance. The pups studied (9/12) showed an acute hemorrhagic diarrhea profile with fatal course. At necropsy, tissue samples were obtained, fixed with buffered formalin 10% pH 7.2. Histopathology studies revealed regeneration of intestinal villi (7/9), Lieberkühn’s,cryptic hyperplasia (6/9), non supurative focal myocarditis (3/9), bronchiectasis, acute exudative pneumonia (3/9), leukocyte depletion in lymphoid tissue (9/9), non supurative glomerulonefritis (2/9) and bone marrow degeneration (1/9). The cases report are significant because they indicate the clinical evolution of the infection by CPV due to the process to the adaptability of the pups imported into a new habitat.