Canine Distemper Virus in Canine Distemper Virus in Mesomammalian Predators Mesomammalian Predators

of Bobwhite-Quailof Bobwhite-Quail

Krista A. Cox and J. Mitchell LockhartKrista A. Cox and J. Mitchell LockhartDepartment of BiologyDepartment of Biology

Valdosta State UniversityValdosta State UniversityValdosta, GeorgiaValdosta, Georgia

Canine Distemper - BackgroundCanine Distemper - Background Member of genus Member of genus MorbillivirusMorbillivirus Family Family

ParamyxoviridaeParamyxoviridae - single-stranded RNA virus. - single-stranded RNA virus. Known since 1760, causes Known since 1760, causes an acute or subacute, an acute or subacute,

febrile disease in domestic and wild animals febrile disease in domestic and wild animals

EM of viral particles

Canine Distemper - TransmissionCanine Distemper - Transmission Via aerosol-dropletVia aerosol-droplet Direct contactDirect contact Possibly contact with contaminated objectsPossibly contact with contaminated objects

Canine Distemper - ReplicationCanine Distemper - Replication

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

Canine Distemper - DistributionCanine Distemper - Distribution Worldwide distribution in wild and domestic canids.Worldwide distribution in wild and domestic canids.

Of no concern to public health of humans.Of no concern to public health of humans. Transmission occurs in unvaccinated canids that Transmission occurs in unvaccinated canids that

come in contact with infected wild animals.come in contact with infected wild animals. Host spectrum of CDV is vast (carnivores and non-Host spectrum of CDV is vast (carnivores and non-

carnivores) but is mostly seen in fur animals.carnivores) but is mostly seen in fur animals. Raccoons, ferrets, foxes, dogs.Raccoons, ferrets, foxes, dogs.

Canine Distemper – Clinical SignsCanine Distemper – Clinical Signs

Infection can result in subclinical symptoms, Infection can result in subclinical symptoms, gastrointestinal signs and respiratory signs, gastrointestinal signs and respiratory signs,

Frequent central nervous system involvement.Frequent central nervous system involvement. RabiesRabies

Canine Distemper – Clinical SignsCanine Distemper – Clinical Signs

Main signs include nasal discharge and Main signs include nasal discharge and diarrhea – common to other diseasesdiarrhea – common to other diseases

Specific signs include convulsions, Specific signs include convulsions, incoordination and myoclonus (muscle incoordination and myoclonus (muscle spasm) – which occur in later stages of spasm) – which occur in later stages of the infectionthe infection

Canine Distemper - AssociationCanine Distemper - Association

Eradication of CDV is Eradication of CDV is impossible due to wide impossible due to wide host range of the virus.host range of the virus.

May be linked to other May be linked to other diseases, such as diseases, such as Paget’s disease and Paget’s disease and multiple sclerosismultiple sclerosis

Canine Distemper – DiagnosisCanine Distemper – Diagnosis Tentative diagnosis for canids showing Tentative diagnosis for canids showing

nervous system disorders or chronic nervous system disorders or chronic antibiotic–unresponsive respiratory antibiotic–unresponsive respiratory diseasedisease

Accurate diagnosis of CDV infection Accurate diagnosis of CDV infection involves serologic and molecular involves serologic and molecular biological techniques.biological techniques.

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida United States Department of Agriculture – United States Department of Agriculture –

Wildlife Services study to evaluate the effect Wildlife Services study to evaluate the effect of mesomammalian predator removal on of mesomammalian predator removal on bobwhite quail reproduction (2001 – 2006).bobwhite quail reproduction (2001 – 2006). PrincipalsPrincipals

USDA-Wildlife ServicesUSDA-Wildlife Services University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia Auburn UniversityAuburn University Tall Timbers Research Station, FloridaTall Timbers Research Station, Florida Valdosta State University - 2003Valdosta State University - 2003

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida Mesomammalian predators were removed Mesomammalian predators were removed

from three southwest Georgia/north Florida from three southwest Georgia/north Florida quail plantations (Pebble Hill, Tall Timbers, quail plantations (Pebble Hill, Tall Timbers, Pinebloom – 2 sites).Pinebloom – 2 sites). Included raccoons, opossums, foxes, Included raccoons, opossums, foxes,

armadillos, coyotes, feral dogs, feral cats armadillos, coyotes, feral dogs, feral cats and bobcats.and bobcats.

Animals were euthanized, frozen, transported Animals were euthanized, frozen, transported to VSU and necropsied.to VSU and necropsied. Various samples and data were collectedVarious samples and data were collected ..

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

365 raccoon serum samples collected in 2003-365 raccoon serum samples collected in 2003-2004 were analyzed for CDV by serologic 2004 were analyzed for CDV by serologic methods.methods. IFAT to detect antibodies in serum samples.IFAT to detect antibodies in serum samples. >> 1:8 titer was considered positive per 1:8 titer was considered positive per

manufacturer’s protocol.manufacturer’s protocol.

NegativeNegative PositivePositive

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

In 2003 - from Pebble Hill In 2003 - from Pebble Hill and Pinebloom-East sites - and Pinebloom-East sites - 47/136 (34.6%) positive.47/136 (34.6%) positive.

In 2004 -from Pinebloom-In 2004 -from Pinebloom-West and Tall Timbers sites West and Tall Timbers sites - 69/229 (30.1%) positive.- 69/229 (30.1%) positive.

Total number of positives - Total number of positives - 116/365 (31.8%).116/365 (31.8%).

No significant difference: No significant difference: Chi square = 0.58, df=1Chi square = 0.58, df=1

34.630.1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

20032004

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

By Sex of Raccoon:By Sex of Raccoon: Female raccoons – 39/116 Female raccoons – 39/116

(33.6%) positive(33.6%) positive Male raccoons – 77/229 Male raccoons – 77/229

(30.9%) positive(30.9%) positive No significant difference: No significant difference:

Chi square = 0.16, df=1Chi square = 0.16, df=1

30.9 33.6

05

10

15202530

35404550

Sex

MaleFemale

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

Monthly Prevalence of CDV Antibodies

0

10

20

30

40

50F

eb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug Sep

Month

Pre

vale

nce

Total

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

Percent of Raccoons Infected by Weight Classification

25

14.8

26.5

38.8

71.4

0.0-3.0

3.1-6.0

6.1-9.0

9.1-12.0

12.1+

Wei

gh

t (p

ou

nd

s)

Percent Infected

Percent Infected

Canine Distemper in Georgia/FloridaCanine Distemper in Georgia/Florida

Conclusions:Conclusions: Canine Distemper is present in raccoons in the Red Canine Distemper is present in raccoons in the Red

Hills plantation region of southern Hills plantation region of southern Georgia/northern Florida.Georgia/northern Florida.

There was no significant difference in the number There was no significant difference in the number of positive raccoons for CDV between the two of positive raccoons for CDV between the two years or between the two sexes.years or between the two sexes.

Monthly prevalence and age data will be evaluated Monthly prevalence and age data will be evaluated further.further.

Canine Distemper in southwest GeorgiaCanine Distemper in southwest Georgia

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

Canine Distemper in southwest GeorgiaCanine Distemper in southwest Georgia

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements: USDA – Wildlife ServicesUSDA – Wildlife Services University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia Auburn UniversityAuburn University Tall Timbers Research StationTall Timbers Research Station Valdosta State University Student and Valdosta State University Student and

Faculty Development FundsFaculty Development Funds

Questions ?Questions ?