Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is one of the most significant infectious disease threats to the health and conservation of free-ranging and captive wild carnivores. CDV vaccination using recombinant canarypox-based vaccines has been recommended for maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) after the failure of modified live vaccines that induced disease in vaccinated animals. Here, we report a CDV outbreak in a captive population of maned wolves that were previously vaccinated. Five juveniles and one adult from a group of seven maned wolves housed in an outdoor exhibit died in April–May 2013 in a zoo in the Metropolitan Region, Chile. Clinical signs ranged from lethargy to digestive and respiratory signs. Diagnosis of CDV was confirmed by histopathology, antibody assays, and viral molecular detection and characterization. The phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequence of the H gene of the CDV genome identified in the two positive samples suggest a close relation with the lineage Europe 1, commonly found in South America and Chile. CDV infections in maned wolves have not been previously characterized. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first report of the clinical presentation of CDV in a canine species previously immunized with a recombinant vaccine.
Highlights
Canine morbillivirus, known as canine distemper virus (CDV), is the etiological agent of canine distemper (CD)
To the knowledge of the authors, there are no reports documenting the clinical disease by natural CDV infection in maned wolves. This is the first report of recombinant canarypox-based CDV vaccine failure to protect a wild canid species against the clinical infection produced by this virus and the first CDV outbreak documented in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
Infectious diseases are an important threat to the health and conservation of freeranging wildlife and those under human care; in the latter scenario, infectious diseases can even put at risk the success and viability of breeding programs
Summary
Known as canine distemper virus (CDV), is the etiological agent of canine distemper (CD) It is a highly contagious disease in dogs and is, along with rabies, the most important infectious disease threat to the health and conservation of free-living and captive wild carnivores [1,2,3]. This virus is present in most countries, and several Carnivora families are susceptible, including the Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae, Hyaenidae, Ursidae, Viverridae, Felidae, Ailuridae, Phocidae, and Otariidae. This is the first report of recombinant canarypox-based CDV vaccine failure to protect a wild canid species against the clinical infection produced by this virus and the first CDV outbreak documented in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
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