Detection of environmental contamination with feline and canine parvoviruses: new perspectives and challenges

Aims To develop a protocol for environmental sampling to detect parvoviruses of dogs and cats in the environment. Methods and Results Environmental contamination was carried out using different dilutions of parvovirus‐contaminated materials; further field samplings were performed in areas in which clinical cases of parvovirus infections were present. Sterile cotton swabs and sponges for microbial surface sampling were used. Viruses were detected in these samples with different methods: conventional PCR, nested PCR and real‐time PCR, detecting viral DNA; virus isolation, detecting infectious virus; and a commercial rapid enzyme immunoassay, detecting viral antigen. No substantial differences were observed in the two sampling methods, although the sponge was more convenient for sampling rough surfaces. Molecular assays were the most sensitive methods, identifying even very low amounts of viral DNA (up to 10 copies of viral DNA/10 µl of sample). Virus isolation and the rapid test detected the viruses only at the highest viral concentrations, both in the experimental setting and field conditions. Conclusions Environmental sampling and molecular protocols were effective in detecting environmental contamination with parvoviruses. Significance and Impact of the Study The protocol will be useful to identify possible sources of infection and to assess the efficacy of disinfection protocols in the environment.