Comparison of tissue and fluid samples for the early detection of canine distemper virus in experimentally infected dogs

The clinical utility of various specimens was examined for the early diagnosis of canine distemper (CD). Seven healthy dogs at 17 weeks of age were experimentally infected with a field isolate of canine distemper virus. The RT-PCR was carried out to detect CDV NP gene. Dogs showed mild fever and leukopenia, however, typical clinical signs of CD were not seen through the experimental period. CDV amplicons were detected more, earlier and for longer period in the conjunctival swabs than in the other samples employed. These results suggested that conjunctival swab samples, which are easy to obtain and non-invasive, would be the most suitable and practical specimen for the early antemortem diagnosis of CDV infection.