<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a worldwide distributed RNA virus that can cause severe disease in carnivore and non-carnivore species. Red foxes are highly susceptible and may act as a reservoir of the virus. As in other wild species, distemper in red foxes can manifest as acute, systemic and chronic nervous form. In the present study, we detected antibodies against CDV among red foxes in Western Serbia, and analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically for CDV nuclear protein antigen (CDV-NP) brain samples derived from seropositive animals. Seroprevalence of CDV antibodies was 36.8%. Histopathological changes included gliosis, neuronal degeneration, satellitosis, mononuclear inflammation, demyelination and presence of inclusion bodies. Immunostaining showed a diffuse presence of CDV-NP antigen, mainly in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and neurons. Results of this work contribute to the opinion that red foxes act as a potential reservoir of CDV and underline the importance of routine vaccination of dogs that could come in close contact with these animals. Potential active surveillance program would give a better insight in the degree of CDV infection in wildlife.</p></abstract>

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a worldwide distributed RNA virus that can cause severe disease in carnivore and non-carnivore species. Red foxes are highly susceptible and may act as a reservoir of the virus. As in other wild species, distemper in red foxes can manifest as acute, systemic and chronic nervous form. In the present study, we detected antibodies against CDV among red foxes in Western Serbia, and analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically for CDV nuclear protein antigen (CDV-NP) brain samples derived from seropositive animals. Seroprevalence of CDV antibodies was 36.8%. Histopathological changes included gliosis, neuronal degeneration, satellitosis, mononuclear inflammation, demyelination and presence of inclusion bodies. Immunostaining showed a diffuse presence of CDV-NP antigen, mainly in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and neurons. Results of this work contribute to the opinion that red foxes act as a potential reservoir of CDV and underline the importance of routine vaccination of dogs that could come in close contact with these animals. Potential active surveillance program would give a better insight in the degree of CDV infection in wildlife.

Histopathological Characteristics and Expression of CDV-NP Antigen in the Brain of Serologically Positive Spontaneously Infected Red Foxes (<italic>Vulpes Vulpes</italic>) In Western Serbia

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Specialist Institute “Kraljevo”

Department of Infectious Animal Diseases and Diseases of Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Histopathological Characteristics and Expression of CDV-NP Antigen in the Brain of Serologically Positive Spontaneously Infected Red Foxes () In Western Serbia

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a worldwide distributed RNA virus that can cause severe disease in carnivore and non-carnivore species. Red foxes are highly...

Histopathological Characteristics and Expression of CDV-NP Antigen in the Brain of Serologically Positive Spontaneously Infected Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) In Western Serbia

Published Online: Jan 01, 2019

Page range: 434 - 444

Received: Nov 07, 2018

Accepted: Nov 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2018-0035

Keywords
brain, canine distemper virus, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, red fox

© 2018 Aničić Milan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Histopathological Characteristics and Expression of CDV-NP Antigen in the Brain of Serologically Positive Spontaneously Infected Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) In Western Serbia

Published Online: Jan 01, 2019

Page range: 434 - 444

Received: Nov 07, 2018

Accepted: Nov 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2018-0035

Keywordsbrain, canine distemper virus, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, red fox

© 2018 Aničić Milan et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
brain, canine distemper virus, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, red fox