Current trends of canine parvoviral enteritis: Nigeria perspective

Background: Canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) is currently considered one of the major leading causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) was first isolated in 1978, ever since then the virus has mutated to CPV-2a, CPV-2b and recently CPV-2c, which has made the control and eradication of disease seemingly impossible. The disease has been reported in several parts of the world including; USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Tunisia, South Africa and Nigeria. The identification of the strains of CPV-2 that are currently circulating in the canine population is very essential for the understanding of viral evolution and the development of measures to control its spread. This review therefore, focuses on the current trends and antigenic variants of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) circulating in Nigeria. Methods: Previous literatures were reviewed on the status of canine parvovirus type 2 in Nigeria. The emphasis was on the antigenic variants of CPV-2 circulating in Nigeria and strains of the virus in the vaccines, and out breaks of infections. Results: Control and prevention of canine parvoviral enteritis (CPE) has remained a global challenge, and relies mainly on extensive vaccination. Sequence analysis of CPV-2 has revealed the presence of the three antigenic variants in Nigeria. CPV-2c is now predominantly in Nigeria and as such with so many countries of the world, without corresponding vaccines with the variants. Hence understanding the antigenic variants of CPV-2 virus circulating within a geographical area is very essential in controlling the infection. Conclusion: CPE infection is endemic in Nigeria and mainly infects dogs less than six months of age. The disease is of serious socio-economic importance to dog owners and breeders, as a number one killer disease of dogs. The three stains of the canine parvovirus type 2, (2a, 2b and 2c) exists in Nigeria, with predominantly 2c. The current vaccines mainly used in Nigeria are original CPV-2, 2a or 2b, and do not protect dogs against CPE due to 2c infections. We therefore, recommend that 2c be incorporated in CPV-2 vaccines presently used in Nigeria