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. 2013 May;7(3):265-70.
doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2012.00379.x. Epub 2012 May 23.

Inter- and intraspecies transmission of canine influenza virus (H3N2) in dogs, cats, and ferrets

Hyekwon Kim  1 , Daesub Song, Hyoungjoon Moon, Minjoo Yeom, Seongjun Park, Minki Hong, Woonseong Na, Richard J Webby, Robert G Webster, Bongkyun Park, Jeong-Ki Kim, Bokyu Kang
Affiliations

Inter- and intraspecies transmission of canine influenza virus (H3N2) in dogs, cats, and ferrets

Hyekwon Kim et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2013 May.

Abstract

Background: The emergence of zoonotic viruses in domestic animals is a significant public health concern. Canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N2 is a virus that can infect companion animals and is, therefore, a potential public health concern.

Objective: This study investigated the inter- and intraspecies transmission of CIV among dogs, cats, and ferrets, under laboratory conditions, to determine whether transmission of the virus was possible between as well as within these domestic animal species.

Method: The transmission routes for inter- and intraspecies transmission were airborne and direct contact, respectively. Transmission was conducted through intranasal infection of dogs followed by exposure to either cats or ferrets and by comingling infected and naïve animals of the same species.

Results: The interspecies transmission of CIV H3N2 via airborne was only observed from dogs to cats and not from dogs to ferrets. However, direct intranasal infection of either cats or ferrets with CIV could induce influenza-like clinical signs, viral shedding, and serological responses. Additionally, naïve cats and ferrets could be infected by CIV via direct contact with infected animals of the same species.

Conclusion: Cats appear to be another susceptible host of CIV H3N2, whereas ferrets are not likely natural hosts. The molecular-based mechanism of interspecies and intraspecies transmission of CIV H3N2 should be further studied.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quantitation of the viral shedding from infected dogs and from the naïve cats and ferrets, which were exposed to the infected dogs via respiratory droplets. Error bars indicate standard deviation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Quantitation of viral shedding from intranasally infected cats and ferrets and from the naïve cats and ferrets exposed to the infected animals, via direct contact. (A) Virus shed from infected cats and exposed naïve cats; (B) Virus shed from infected ferrets and exposed naïve ferrets. Error bars indicate standard deviation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overview of intra‐ and interspecies transmission of CIV H3N2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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