Canine Distemper Virus in Mesomammalian Predators of Bobwhite-Quail

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Canine Distemper Virus in Mesomammalian Predators
of Bobwhite-Quail

• Krista A. Cox and J. Mitchell Lockhart
• Department of Biology
• Valdosta State University
• Valdosta, Georgia

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Canine Distemper - Background

• Member of genus Morbillivirus
  Family Paramyxoviridae - single-stranded RNA
  virus.
• Known since 1760, causes an acute or
  subacute, febrile disease in domestic
  and wild animals

EM of viral particles
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Canine Distemper - Transmission

• Via aerosol-droplet
• Direct contact
• Possibly contact with contaminated objects

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Canine Distemper - Replication

• Replicates in macrophages and lymphoid cells
  (i.e. lymph nodes and tonsils) of upper
  respiratory tract.

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Canine Distemper - Distribution

• Worldwide distribution in wild and domestic
  canids.
• Of no concern to public health of humans.
• Transmission occurs in unvaccinated canids that
  come in contact with infected wild animals.
• Host spectrum of CDV is vast (carnivores and
  non-carnivores) but is mostly seen in fur
  animals.
• Raccoons, ferrets, foxes, dogs.

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Canine Distemper Clinical Signs

• Infection can result in subclinical symptoms,
  gastrointestinal signs and respiratory signs,
• Frequent central nervous system involvement.
• Rabies

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Canine Distemper Clinical Signs

• Main signs include nasal discharge and diarrhea
  common to other diseases
• Specific signs include convulsions,
  incoordination and myoclonus (muscle spasm)
  which occur in later stages of the infection

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Canine Distemper - Association

• Eradication of CDV is impossible due to wide host
  range of the virus.
• May be linked to other diseases, such as Pagets
  disease and multiple sclerosis

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Canine Distemper Diagnosis

• Tentative diagnosis for canids showing nervous
  system disorders or chronic antibioticunresponsiv
  e respiratory disease
• Accurate diagnosis of CDV infection involves
  serologic and molecular biological techniques.

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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• United States Department of Agriculture
  Wildlife Services study to evaluate the effect of
  mesomammalian predator removal on bobwhite quail
  reproduction (2001 2006).
• Principals
• USDA-Wildlife Services
• University of Georgia
• Auburn University
• Tall Timbers Research Station, Florida
• Valdosta State University - 2003

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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• Mesomammalian predators were removed from three
  southwest Georgia/north Florida quail plantations
  (Pebble Hill, Tall Timbers, Pinebloom 2 sites).
• Included raccoons, opossums, foxes, armadillos,
  coyotes, feral dogs, feral cats and bobcats.
• Animals were euthanized, frozen, transported to
  VSU and necropsied.
• Various samples and data were collected.

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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• 365 raccoon serum samples collected in 2003-2004
  were analyzed for CDV by serologic methods.
• IFAT to detect antibodies in serum samples.
• gt 18 titer was considered positive per
  manufacturers protocol.

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Negative Positive
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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• In 2003 - from Pebble Hill and Pinebloom-East
  sites - 47/136 (34.6) positive.
• In 2004 -from Pinebloom-West and Tall Timbers
  sites - 69/229 (30.1) positive.
• Total number of positives - 116/365 (31.8).
• No significant difference Chi square 0.58,
  df1

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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• By Sex of Raccoon
• Female raccoons 39/116 (33.6) positive
• Male raccoons 77/229 (30.9) positive
• No significant difference Chi square 0.16, df1

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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida
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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida
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Canine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

• Conclusions
• Canine Distemper is present in raccoons in the
  Red Hills plantation region of southern
  Georgia/northern Florida.
• There was no significant difference in the number
  of positive raccoons for CDV between the two
  years or between the two sexes.
• Monthly prevalence and age data will be evaluated
  further.

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Canine Distemper in southwest Georgia

• Future Plans
• Evaluate 2 more years of animal collection.
• Evaluate specific age data
• PCR to confirm viremia?
• Evaluate titer data.
• Other Mesomammalian species?
• Management Practices?

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Canine Distemper in southwest Georgia

• Acknowledgements
• USDA Wildlife Services
• University of Georgia
• Auburn University
• Tall Timbers Research Station
• Valdosta State University Student and Faculty
  Development Funds

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Questions ?