Concomitant virus-induced gastrointestinal infection in dogs

Many viruses are involved in concomitant infections, which are prevalent in nature. In mixed infections, one or both infectious agents may be increased, reduced, or both may be increased while the other is suppressed. Canine distemper virus (CDV) and Canine parvovirus- 2 (CPV-2) are important causes of gastroenteritis in dogs. Detection of these viruses is challenging since the symptoms are very similar. CDV is a member of the morbillivirus genus in the Paramyxoviridae family, and CPV-2 is a member of the Protoparvovirus genus in the Parvoviridae family; and both predominantly affect puppies and induce gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the differential diagnosis of dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms. A PCR technique with specific primers was used to identify CDV and CPV-2 infections in gastroenteric dogs, and clinical changes in the infected dogs were monitored. The VP2 structural gene of CPV and the nucleocapsid gene of CDV were partially amplified in the study. PCR amplified the partial fragments of the CDV nucleocapsid (287 bp) and CPV-2 VP2 proteins (583 bp) from feces. In total, 3 out of 36 stool samples were positive for CDV and CPV-2 in the same dogs. Gasterointestinal symptoms also supported the diagnosis of concomitant infection with CDV and CPV-2 in these dogs. Dehydration and diarrhea in dogs can be signs of various diseases, such as viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. After the elimination of non-viral pathogens, CDV and CPV-2 should also be simultaneously investigated to establish what is causing these symptoms. This study demonstrates the potential utility of correct diagnosis for the control of viral infection in dogs, but more research with a broader use of PCR-based detections is needed to assess its impact on differential diagnosis for concomitant infections.

Pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, some biochemical parameters and hematology in bovine respiratory disease complex

Abstract.

Background

Infectious bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the world's major livestock problems.

Aims

The study aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, clinical biochemistry, and hematological parameters in infectious BRDC.

Methods

Animals in this study were Simmental breed, 1-7 years old, untreated, and healthy and BRDC cattle (40 cattle with BRDC in the disease group, and 10 healthy cattle in the control group). Clinical findings such as general posture, respiratory rate per minute, rectal temperature, heart rate per minute, and mental posture of the diseased cattle were recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein only once from all cattle. Complete blood count from blood samples was measured in an automatic complete blood count device, biochemical parameters in an autoanalyzer, and pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA method.

Results

Rectal temperature, respiratory and pulse rates per minute, total leukocyte count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, urea, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 concentrations were found to be statistically higher in BRDC group than those in the control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in the BRDC group compared to the control group. As a result, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were found to be diagnostically important in cattle diagnosed with BRDC.