Infectious canine hepatitis: an "old" disease reemerging in Italy

Abstract

Four outbreaks of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) occurring in Italy between 2001 and 2006 are reported. Three outbreaks were observed in animal shelters of southern Italy, whereas a fourth outbreak involved two purebred pups imported from Hungary few days before the onset of clinical symptoms. In all outbreaks canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) was identified by virus isolation and PCR. In three outbreaks, other canine viral pathogens were detected, including canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus or canine coronavirus. The present study shows that CAV-1 is currently circulating in the Italian dog population and that vaccination is still required.

Fig. 1

PCR assay for detection of CAV-1 and CAV-2. Lane 1, marker GeneRuler 1 kb DNA Ladder (MBI Fermentas GmbH, St. Leon-Rot, Germany). Lane 2, positive control for CAV-1 (508 bp, Pratelli et al., 2001). Lane 3, positive control for CAV-2 (1030 bp, Decaro et al., 2004a), Lane 4, negative control (rectal swab from a dog negative for CAV-1/CAV-2). Lanes 5–10, samples positive for CAV-1 (rectal swab, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, lymph node of a dog from outbreak no. 3).