Serological and molecular epidemiology of canine adenovirus type 1 in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom.

Walker, David; Fee, Seán A.; Hartley, Gill; Learmount, Jane; O’Hagan, Maria J.H.; Meredith, Anna L.; Bronsvoort, Barend M.de C.; Porphyre, Thibaud; Sharp, Colin P.; Philbey, Adrian W.

Abstract

Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), a frequently fatal disease which primarily affects canids. In this study, serology (ELISA) and molecular techniques (PCR/qPCR) were utilised to investigate the exposure of free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to CAV-1 in the United Kingdom (UK) and to examine their role as a wildlife reservoir of infection for susceptible species. The role of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), primarily a respiratory pathogen, was also explored. In foxes with no evidence of ICH on post-mortem examination, 29 of 154 (18.8%) red foxes had inapparent infections with CAV-1, as detected by a nested PCR, in a range of samples, including liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and lung. CAV-1 was detected in the urine of three red foxes with inapparent infections. It was estimated that 302 of 469 (64.4%) red foxes were seropositive for canine adenovirus (CAV) by ELISA. CAV-2 was not detected by PCR in any red foxes examined. Additional sequence data were obtained from CAV-1 positive samples, revealing regional variations in CAV-1 sequences. It is concluded that CAV-1 is endemic in free-ranging red foxes in the UK and that many foxes have inapparent infections in a range of tissues.

Citation

Walker, D., Fee, S. A., Hartley, G., Learmount, J., O’Hagan, M. J., Meredith, A. L., …Philbey, A. W. (2016). Serological and molecular epidemiology of canine adenovirus type 1 in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the United Kingdom. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 36051. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36051

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 11, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Deposit Date: Jun 6, 2024
• Journal: Scientific reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Article Number: 36051
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36051
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/763337
• PMID: 27796367