Transmission and pathogenicity of canine H3N2 influenza virus in dog and guinea pig models

• Published in: Virology Journal
• Main Authors: Ratanaporn Tangwangvivat, Supassama Chaiyawong, Nutthawan Nonthabenjawan, Kamonpan Charoenkul, Taveesak Janethanakit, Kitikhun Udom, Sawang Kesdangsakonwut, Rachod Tantilertcharoen, Aunyaratana Thontiravong, Alongkorn Amonsin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2022
• Subjects: Canine influenza; Dog; Guinea pigs; H3N2; Pathogenicity; Transmission; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Canis lupus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-022-01888-x; https://doaj.org/article/74fb8d76c555459199e9a2c7951514c9

Abstract Background Influenza A virus causes respiratory disease in many animal species as well as in humans. Due to the high human-animal interface, the monitoring of canine influenza in dogs and the study of the transmission and pathogenicity of canine influenza in animals are important. Methods Eight-week-old beagle dogs (Canis lupus familaris) (n = 13) were used for the intraspecies transmission model. The dogs were inoculated intranasally with 1 ml of 106 EID50 per ml of canine H3N2 influenza virus (A/canine/Thailand/CU-DC5299/2012) (CIV-H3N2). In addition, 4-week-old guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) (n = 20) were used for the interspecies transmission model. The guinea pigs were inoculated intranasally with 300 µl of 106 EID50 per ml of CIV-H3N2. Results For the Thai CIV-H3N2 challenged in the dog model, the incoculated and direct contact dogs developed respiratory signs at 2 dpi. The dogs shed the virus in the respiratory tract at 1 dpi and developed an H3-specific antibody against the virus at 10 dpi. Lung congestion and histopathological changes in the lung were observed. For the Thai CIV-H3N2 challenge in the guinea pig model, the incoculated, direct contact and aerosol-exposed guinea pigs developed fever at 1–2 dpi. The guinea pigs shed virus in the respiratory tract at 2 dpi and developed an H3-specific antibody against the virus at 7 dpi. Mild histopathological changes in the lung were observed. Conclusion The result of this study demonstrated evidence of intraspecies and interspecies transmission of CIV-H3N2 in a mammalian model.