Prolonged persistence of canine distemper virus RNA, and virus isolation in naturally infected shelter dogs

Canine distemper virus remains an important source of morbidity and mortality in animal shelters. RT-PCR is commonly used to aid diagnosis and has been used to monitor dogs testing positive over time to gauge the end of infectious potential. Many dogs excrete viral RNA for prolonged periods which has complicated disease management. The goal of this retrospective study was to describe the duration and characteristics of viral RNA excretion in shelter dogs with naturally occurring CDV and investigate the relationship between that viral RNA excretion and infectious potential using virus isolation data. Records from 98 different humane organizations with suspect CDV were reviewed. A total of 5920 dogs were tested with 1393; 4452; and 75 found to be positive, negative, or suspect on RT-PCR respectively. The median duration of a positive test was 34days (n = 325), and 25 per cent (82/325) of the dogs still excreting viral RNA after 62 days of monitoring. Virus isolation was performed in six dogs who were RT-PCR positive for > 60 days. Infectious virus was isolated only within the first two weeks of monitoring at or around the peak viral RNA excretion (as detected by the lowest cycle threshold) reported for each dog. Our findings suggest that peak viral RNA excretion and the days surrounding it might be used as a functional marker to gauge the end of infectious risk. Clarifying the earliest point in time when dogs testing positive for canine distemper by RT-PCR can be considered non-contagious will improve welfare and lifesaving potential of shelters by enabling recovered dogs to be cleared more quickly for live release outcomes.

Carolyn Allen1,Alexandre Ellis1,Ruibin Liang2,Ailam Lim2, Sandra Newbury1

PLoS One. 2023 Jan 20;18(1): e0280186. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280186.

1Department of Medical Sciences, Shelter Medicine Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America.

2Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Virology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America. Free PMC article

Temporal lobe epilepsy in cats

In recent years there has been increased attention to the proposed entity of feline temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Epileptic discharges in certain parts of the temporal lobe elicit very similar semiology, which justifies grouping these epilepsies under one name. Furthermore, feline TLE patients tend to have histopathological changes within the temporal lobe, usually in the hippocampus. The initial aetiology is likely to be different but may result in hippocampal necrosis and later hippocampal sclerosis. The aim of this article was not only to summarise the clinical features and the possible aetiology, but also being work to place TLE within the veterinary epilepsy classification. Epilepsies in cats, similar to dogs, are classified based on the aetiology into idiopathic epilepsy,structural epilepsy and unknown cause. TLE seems to be outside of this classification, as it is not an aetiologic category, but a syndrome, associated with a topographic affiliation to a certain anatomical brain structure. Magnetic resonance imaging, histopathologic aspects and current medical therapeutic considerations will be summarised, and emerging surgical options are discussed.

Akos Pakozdy1,Peter Halasz2,Andrea Klang3,Borbala A Lörincz4, Martin J Schmidt5,Ursula Glantschnigg-Eisl6,Sophie Binks7 Vet J. 2023 Jan; 291:105941.doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105941.

1University Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: akos.pakozdy@vetmeduni.ac.at.

2Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.

3Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria.

4Clinic of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Veterinary To page 30