Detection of Canine Distemper Virus from Lymphopenic Dogs by RT-PCR Amplification of Nudeoprotein Gene

摘要

This study involves detection of canine distemper virus (CDV) from 45 clinically suspected dogs showing respiratory signs and lymphopenia. Some dogs manifested digestive system involvement but none of them showed any nervous symptom. Nucleoprotein (NP) gene was amplified by RT-PCR from conjunctival swabs. Only 10 of 45 (22.2%) dogs were found positive to CDV infection. The difference in lymphocyte count in the blood of distemper positive and negative dogs was insignificant (P = 0.203). It was, however, significant (p = 0.0056 or p < 0.05) in distemper positive dogs when repeated thrice at an interval of ten days showing rapid recovery. The results suggest that canine distemper is independent of age and sex. It may involve secondary infections and lymphopenia is the clinical sign that can help in presumptive diagnosis at an early stage of infection.