Services

Canine Infectious Diseases

• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis: identification of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (formally canine parvovirus, CPV-2a/2b/2c) by PCR using consensus primers for all members of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 species; virus isolation on cell cultures; identification by indirect immunofluorescence

• Infectious canine hepatitis – Rubarth’s disease: identification of canine adenovirus type 1 (CadV-1) by nested PCR

• Canine distemper: identification of canine distemper virus (CDV) by nested RT-PCR

• Canine monocytic Ehrlichiosis: identification of Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) by nested PCR

• Abortion, stillbirth, vulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis: detection of canine herpesvirus type 1 (CHV-1) by nested PCR

Summary table with guidelines for sending sample to the lab

Pathogen	Available test	Sample
CPV	PCR; isolation	Faeces; dry rectal swab
CadV-1	nested PCR	Faeces; dry rectal swab; EDTA blood
CDV	nested RT-PCR	EDTA blood; dry conjunctival/oral swab, urine.
E. canis	nested PCR	EDTA blood; lymph node, spleen or medullary aspirate
CHV-1	nested PCR	Dry vaginal/preputial swab; organ from aborted foetus; semen; conjunctival or pharyngeal swab

• PCR and RT-PCR profile to identify viral enteritis agents Canine viral diarrhea represents the most frequent clinical condition in <12 months old dogs. Historical viral agent involved is canine parvovirus (CPV-2), although it has been proven that many others viral enteropathogens can act alone or synergistically

• Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (formally canine parvovirus, CPV-2a/2b/2c): PCR using consensus primers for all members of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 species; virus isolation on cell cultures; identification by indirect immunofluorescence
• Canine coronavirus (CCoV): nested RT-PCR

• Norovirus and sapovirus: RT-PCR using consensus primers  for Caliciviridae;
• Canine Kobuvirus (CaKoV): RT-PCR using consensus primers for Kobuvirus;
• Carnivore protoparvovirus 2: real-time PCR and qualitative PCR

Type of sample to send to the laboratory: faeces in special containers with screw cap; dry rectal swab.

• PCR and RT-PCR profile to identify Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease viral agents. Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) commonly called “Kennel cough”, is a multifactorial disease that affect dogs of all ages, caused by viral infections and frequently associated with secondary bacterial infections

• Canine adenovirus type 2 (CadV-2): nested PCR
• Canine herpesvirus canino type 1 (CHV-1): nested PCR;
• Canine distemper virus (CDV): nested RT-PCR

• Carnivore protoparvovirus 2: real-time PCR and qualitative PCR
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica): PCR

Type of sample to send to the laboratory: pharyngeal swab; nasal swab; conjunctival swab (dry swab).

Feline Infectious Diseases

• Feline panleukopenia: identification of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (formally panleukopenia virus , FPV) by PCR using consensus primers for all members of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 species; virus isolation on cell cultures; identification by indirect immunofluorescence

• Feline calicivirosis: identification of feline calicivirus (FCV) by nested RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR; virus isolation.

• Feline viral rinotracheitis: identification of FHV-1 by PCR

• Feline chlamydiosis: detection of Chlamydia felis (C. felis) by PCR with consensus primer for all members of Chlamydia genus

• Suspect of feline infectious peritonitis: detection of FeCoV by RT-PCR, real time RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence

Summary table with guidelines for sending sample to the lab

Pathogen	Available test	Sample
FPV	PCR; isolation	Faeces; dry rectal swab
FCV	nested RT-PCR; real time RT-PCR; viral isolation	Pharyngeal swab and conjunctival swab (dry); it requires to send also a rectal swab and EDTA blood are also required if other clinical signs are present in addition to respiratory ones
FHV-1	PCR	Conjunctival and fharyngeal swab (dry)
C. felis	PCR e restriction digest	Conjunctival and fharyngeal swab (dry)
Suspect of feline infectious peritonitis	RT-PCR; real time RT-PCR; indirect immunofluorescence	Abdominal and/or thoracic effusion; biopsies; EDTA blood; dry rectal swab.

PCR and RT-PCR tools to identify viral enteritis agent

• Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (formally feline parvovirus  (FPV); canine parvovirus , CPV-2a/2b/2c): PCR using consensus primers for all members of Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 species; virus isolation on cell cultures; identification by indirect immunofluorescence
• Feline coronavirus felino (FeCoV): nested RT-PCR

• Norovirus: RT-PCR using consensus primers for Caliciviridae
• Feline kobuvirus felino (FeKoV): RT-PCR using per Kobuvirus
• Carnivore protoparvovirus 2: real-time PCR and qualitative PCR
• Calicivirus felino (FCV): real-time RT-PCR; nested RT-PCR; virus isolation on cell cultures; identification by indirect immunofluorescence

Type of sample to send to the laboratory: faeces in special containers with screw cap; dry rectal swab.