Sensitivity and specificity of CDV RT-PCR in the diagnosis of canine distemper

摘要

The diagnosis of canine distemper is mostly based on history, physical examination and the combination of specific clinical signs. Because of the great variety of clinical signs (catarrhalic, nervous and systemic form as well as special forms), an aetiological diagnosis is needed. In the present study, the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of viral nuclear acid of the canine distemper virus using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique (CDV RT-PCR) was evaluated. Samples of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine or serum were collected from dogs (n=109). In 61 dogs (56%), central nervous signs and in 38 (35%), catarrhalic signs were observed. Ten (9%) dogs showed a severe generalized disease with fever. Positive and negative results of the CDV RT-PCR were judged in comparison to clinical diagnosis. In 15 cases, The CDV RT-PCR result was considered to be correctly positive, in 87 cases correctly negative, in 7 false positive and in zero case false negative. In conclusion,a sensitivity of 100% (81.9-100%), a specificity of 92% (85.3-97.0%), a positive predictive value of 68% (45.1-86.1%) and a negative predictive value of 100% (96.6-100%) for the clinical diagnosis of canine distemper using CDV RT-PCR were calculated. The diagnostic efficiency is 93% (87.2-97.6%). Therefore CDV RT-PCR is at the moment the method of choice for the diagnosis of canine distemper. Negative results are reliable, whereas positive results have to be verified clinically or re-tested within 14 days.