Canid alphaherpesvirus-1 in a Queensland district: seroprevalence and risk factors (Old ID 27363)

Dogs Queensland
Role

Collaborator

Description

Canid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1; previously known as canine herpesvirus-1) causes a highly fatal haemorrhagic disease in newborn puppies, as well as embryonic and foetal losses, manifested as infertility, abortion and stillbirth. In dogs over 5 weeks of age, CaHV-1 is of low pathogenicity but can cause genital lesions as well as respiratory (kennel cough) and ocular disease. CaHV-1 has been identified in numerous countries worldwide and is probably ubiquitous. In Belgium, around 46% of dogs sampled were seropositive to CaHV-1, where “seropositive” implies that the dog was infected during the preceding weeks to months. In South Africa, over half of sampled breeding kennels in one province were found to have one or more CaHV-1 seropositive dogs. In England, 94% of sampled dogs showed evidence of prior infection with CaHV-1. In Australia, surprisingly little has been reported on CaHV-1. Sudden deaths in a litter of greyhound puppies, with post mortem findings highly suggestive of CaHV-1, was reported by researchers from the University of Sydney in 1970. A diagnosis of CaHV-1 was confirmed as the cause of sudden deaths in a litter of Labrador puppies in Perth in 1971, as well as a litter of Doberman Pinschers in Queensland in 1974. In 2002, CaHV-1 isolated from a greyhound pup in Australia underwent genetic sequencing. No further case studies on CaHV-1 appear to have been reported. Moreover, no research into the seroprevalence of CaHV-1 has been undertaken in this country. Interestingly, a vaccine against CaHV-1 is available in other countries but is not currently registered in Australia. The aim of our research is to evaluate the seroprevalence of CaHV-1 in dogs in the Herbert and Lower Burdekin District of Queensland. A secondary aim is to identify risk factors for CaHV-1 infection based on a questionnaire supplied to the owners of dogs submitted for sampling. This research will provide an important first step in establishing the relevance of CaHV-1 to dog owners, breeders and veterinarians in Australia. Knowledge arising from this study may help to inform on strategies to minimise infection rates within dog populations. Furthermore, the results of this study may provide a preliminary indication on whether a vaccine against CaHV-1 could be of value to Australian breeding kennels.

Date

01 Sep 2021 - 31 Dec 2023

Project Type

DONATION

Keywords

Dog;Epidemiology;Herpes;Tropics;Infertility;North Queensland

Funding Body

Dogs Queensland

Amount

9000

Project Team

Paul Horwood;Bruce Gummow;Carolynne Joone