Fatal canine parvovirus type 2a and 2c infections in wild Chinese pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla ) in southern China

The Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) is a critically endangered scale-covered mammal belonging to the order Pholidota. Wild pangolins are notably susceptible to pathogen infection and are typically characterized by impoverished health. However, little is currently known regarding the viruses prevalent among pangolins. In this study, we report the detection of two subtypes of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), namely, CPV-2a and CPV-2c, both of which caused severe diarrheal disease in two post-rescue pangolins with fatal consequences. As in CPV-2-infected dogs, intensive lesion of the mucosal layer of the small intestines is a prominent feature in infected pangolins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the VP2 viral protein sequences isolated from one pangolin were classified into the CPV-2c subclade, with 99.8% identities to a CPV-2c strain (MN832850) isolated from a Taiwanese pangolin found in Taiwan Province. In contrast, VP2 sequences obtained from the second pangolin were classified into the CPV-2a subclade, with 99.8% identities to a CPV-2a strain (KY386858) isolated from southern China. In this study, we thus confirmed the infection of pangolins with CPV-2c in mainland China and demonstrate that CPV-2a can also infect pangolins. Based on these findings, we recommend that further investigations should be conducted to establish the interspecies transmission of these viruses among wild pangolins, wild carnivores, and stray dogs.