Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is an important disease with high relatively prevalence. In the present study, the ultrasonographic and radiographic findings of the gastro-intestinal tract were detected in dogs suffering from hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic diarrhea. Thirty dogs between 2 until 11 months of age (mean= 5.43 months) were examined with confirmed canine parvovirus enteritis by immunochromatography assay (ICA). The studied dogs were categorized into three groups and each group was divided into subgroups (less than 6 months) and (above 6 months). The mean of wall thickness of stomach, small intestine and colon were recorded 1.38, 2.14 and 0.9 mm for group A1 and 1.5, 1.96 and 0.84 mm for group A2 respectively. The above parameters were detected for groups B1, B2, C1 and C2. The mean of peristaltic contractions in small intestine of different groups A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 were recorded 1.6, 1.4, 2.18, 1.5, 2.1 and 2.4 respectively. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between groups A and B with C group (p<0.05), but the difference was not significant between groups A with B (p>0.05). The obtained results showed that hemorrhagic diarrheas (parvovirus and non-parvovirus) can decrease the number of peristaltic contractions in small intestine. Changes in echogensity were seen as hyperechoic (6 out of 30; 20%) and hypoechoic (5 out of 30; 16.67%). Although none of the above changes are pathognomonic for canine parvovirus enteritis, but the above findings in combination with other signs can be highly helpful in the treatment process.

Two male dogs at the age of 3 and 5 months of Doberman pinscher and German shepherd breeds were referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University with clinical signs of depression, vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, profound dehydration, fever and anorexia. The affected dogs had not the history of vaccination. Concurrent infection of canine parvovirus and coronavirus was detected in dogs by means of immunochromatography assay. The haemogram showed lowered white blood cell counts as leukopenia, neutropenia and lymphopenia. The dogs received supportive treatment to correct the life-threatening dehydration and prevention of secondary bacterial infections. Despite treatment, one dog (Doberman pinscher) died within 3 days after the onset of clinical signs, and the second dog recovered after 4 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of concurrent infection of canine parvovirus and coronavirus in diarrhoeic dogs in Iran.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most common viruses responsible for acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of CPV-2 infection is especially important in kennels in order to isolate infected dogs. The aim of the present study was to compare two laboratory tests i. e.، Polymerase Change Reaction (PCR) and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) most commonly used for the diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection in companion dogs. Fecal samples were collected from fifty five dogs (50=hemorrhagic diarrheic and 5= healthy) between 2011 and 2012 in Ahvaz district، southwest of Iran. The studied dogs were divided into two age groups (<6 months، and>6 months)، four different breeds (Terriers، German shepherds، Doberman pinschers and Mixed) and based on environment into two groups (open and close) also. All samples were tested by ICA and PCR methods and the results were analyzed by using Kappa test، Mc Nemar and Chi-square analysis. ICA and PCR were able to detect CPV-2 antigen or nucleic acid in 33 and 50 of the hemorrhagic diarrheic samples، respectively. Samples of healthy dogs were negative by both tests. Although sensitivity of ICA compared with PCR method was determined to be 66% (PCR more sensitive than ICA)، nevertheless statistical analysis showed that the difference between two techniques were not significant (P>0. 05). Kappa test was obtained 0. 38 between two techniques. CBC showed that most infected dogs had leucopenia، lymphopenia and neutropenia also (82%; 41 out of 50 samples). Obtained results of this survey showed that accurate standardization of laboratory tests is required to provide veterinarian with an effective tool for a precise etiological diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis due to CPV infection. Although Immunochromatography is a simple and quick method for screening of fecal samples of dogs suspected of CPV infection، but PCR is more sensitive and reliable than ICA. Moreover، the subtypes of the virus determined by PCR test after verifying parvovirus. In this test 48 samples were CPV-2b and another 2 samples were CPV-2a. Our results showed that CPV-2b was the predominant subtype.

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Canine parvovirus (CPV) in dogs referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz, Khouzestan province, Iran. Fecal samples were collected from 78 diarrheic dogs between 2005 and 2007. The dogs were divided into two age groups (< 6 months and > 6 months), four different breeds (Terriers, Germanshepherds, Doberman pinschers and Mixed) and another two groups on the basis of clinical signs (hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic diarrhea) using Fischer''s exact test. Prevalence to CPV (2a or 2b) antigens in these dogs was 16.7% (13 of 78) by means of immunochromatography assay (IC) indicating that this virus is present in ecosystem. The infection had more prevalence in dogs less than 6 months (21.95%; 9 of 41) and in breeds of Terriers (26.31%; 5 of 19) and German Shepherds (21%; 4 of 19), but there were no significant differences between different sexes, age groups and breeds (P>0.05). Nevertheless, infection was significantly higher in hemorrhagic diarrheic dogs (41.38%; 12 of 29) (p<0.05). CBC showed that most infected dogs had leucopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia.

Nowadays one of the major challenges facing herders, dog owners, or working dog training centers is canine parvovirus (CPV-2). The virus has split into several types over the years since it discovered and resulted to genetic and amino acid changes that threaten a wide range of carnivorous around the world. The best way to avoiding the consequences of this disease is vaccination. This study were designed, due to the lack of sufficient studies on the distribution and prevalence of different types of this virus, which may be a prominent cause of vaccine errors, also because of high involvement of Iranian dogs with CPV. Molecular study and phylogenetic comparison of Iranian types compared to other types through the world showed that the dominant type of CPV-2 existed in Iran is CPV-2a with a prevalence of 24% and genetic differences in several points of VP2 gene with other types. We are probably facing to a new version of this virus in our country. In addition, based on the drawn phylogenetic tree, it was found that Iranian isolates on the other side have a relatively high topological difference compared to the origin types and conventional vaccines strain, which supports the initial hypothesis of this study.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) causes a contagious and fatal viral disease in dogs characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death and one of the primary markers of this process is caspase 3. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is also associated with important vital cellular processes. This study was conducted to examine the expressions of caspase 3 and PCNA in the intestinal samples of dogs naturally infected with CPV using immunohistochemical methods. A total of 30 dogs with parvoviral enteritis and five control dogs gut tissues were evaluated for caspase 3 and PCNA expressions. Increased immunoactivities of caspase 3 and PCNA were observed in epithelial, crypt and inflammatory cells in the CPV-infected dogs. Increased expressions of both markers were observed being related to the severity of disease. These results demonstrated the important roles of caspase 3 and PCNA in CPV pathogenesis. These markers may be useful for early diagnosis, estimation of the severity or future treatment strategies of this important disease.

Canine parvovirus (CPV-1) is a highly contagious viral disease in dogs that usually causes acute gastrointestinal disease in puppies. The disease is more common in dogs aged 6 weeks to 6 months. Antioxidants are compounds that prevent oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, thus leading to chain reactions that may damage the cells of living organisms. Antioxidants such as thiol or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) interrupt these chain reactions. Due to the prevalence of parvovirus in dogs and little research on the effect of antioxidants in controlling or exacerbating the disease, this study was performed to determine the effect of antioxidants in the treatment of this disease. In this study, blood samples were taken from 50 dogs, including 25 dogs with parvovirus disease and 25 healthy dogs with the disease, followed by catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity. Rendox kit spectrophotometry was measured. Statistical results to t-test method and SPSS software version 23 were analyzed. The results showed that the enzymes of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in the treatment group compared to the control group had a statistically significant decrease and the amount of malondialdehyde increased statistically (P <0.05). The results show that dogs with parvovirus infection are affected by the antioxidant system, so it should be considered in treatment and prevention.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and coronavirus (CCV) have been incriminated as the most common causes of infectious diarrhea in dogs younger than 6 months. In this study، serum protein electrophoretic patterns were carried out in 10 naturally infected dogs with canine parvoviral and coronaviral enteritis، each ones and compared them with 20 clinically healthy dogs using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Definitive diagnosis of CPV and CCV infections was confirmed by rapid immunochromatographic assay kits. Compared to healthy dogs، significant decreases were determined in the serum concentration of total protein، albumin، total globulin، α1 globulin، β1 globulin، β2 globulin and γ globulin as well as significant increase in α2 globulin concentration in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (p<0. 001). While in dogs with coronaviral enteritis the concentration of total globulin، β2 globulin and γ globulin was significantly lower and of β1 globulin was significantly greater than normal range (p<0. 001). These results may be due to different pathogenesis of CPV and CCV. Unlike CPV infection، villius necrosis and hemorrhage are rare in CCV enteritis. Our results indicate that separation and identification of different canine serum protein fractions facilitates the understanding of the pathological changes associated with different conditions including parvoviral and coronaviral infections.

Canine parvovirus infection is the most highly infectious in dogs younger than six months. Our study aimed to design and optimize an In-house PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of parvovirus type 2 and compares it with REAL-TIME PCR and LAMP Assay and phylogenetic analysis. The virulence gene selected for the categories was vp2 for CPV-2. PCR products were cloned in pTZ57R/T plasmid for preparation of positive control. Determination of the specificity of primers was done with the negative control virus genomes, and the limit of detection was determined for the Homemade PCR, REAL-TIME PCR, LAMP, and to perform a phylogenetic study using partial vp2 gene sequences. Added analysis of PCR products using agarose gel electrophoresis for the vp2 gene showed 485bp, and GAPDH 900 bp bands, respective amplification using negative control genomes as template was negative. The least detectable copy number for the vp2 gene in a 25 µl PCR reaction equals 19 copies by homemade PCR, LAMP, and REAL-TIME PCR 25 and 21 copies, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis for the five field sequences formed three distinct clusters. The in-house PCR has advantages such as high specificity, sensitivity, and the ability to detect major CPV-2 pathogens. This assay may replace the previous laboratory methods and work as an essential supplement to the more time-consuming assays. Phylogenetic analysis is necessary for epidemiological studies to control and prevent disease.

The importance of VP2 protein of canine parvovirus to bind to human cancer cells and to detect the virus in veterinary detection kits has motivated a lot of research on the production of this protein. In this project، a surface gene of canine parvovirus (VP2) was cloned and expressed in a prokaryotic vector system and its expression was optimized in a specific cell-free prokaryotic expression system.

In this experimental study، plasmid pET-21aVP2 was constructed by cloning the PCR product of VP2 gene of canine parvovirus into the plasmid expression pET-21a vector. The best sequence was analyzed through PCR and it was followed by confirmation with sequencing and restriction digestion. To produce VP2 protein، plasmid pET-21aVP2 was transferred into Escherichia coli، Rosetta (DE3) strain، and the expression of this protein was induced by IPTG. The production of VP2 protein in both systems was evaluated using SDS PAGE technique. The expressed protein was checked with monoclonal antibody against VP2 protein by Western blotting technique.

Successful cloning of VP2 protein was confirmed by enzymatic digestion and sequencing. The expression of VP2 protein in bacterial and cell-free prokaryotic systems was verified by SDS PAGE and the specific band in Western blotting also confirmed the VP2 protein.

The results of this study showed that VP2 gene was amplified in the cloning phases and it was successfully cloned in the expression vector. Protein expression was confirmed in both bacterial and cell-free prokaryotic systems.