<div>Background: The present study was undertaken to diagnose and characterize canine distemper virus (CDV) isolated from dogs of southern Gujarat, India. CDV is lethal disease of canines and felines. Total of 40 different samples were collected from 18 suspected stray dogs having different clinical signs which were processed for diagnosis and characterization of CDV. 
 
Methods: All samples were processed by employing different methods like, Immunochromatography based lateral flow test (LFA), IgG based indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA), one step RT-PCR, nested one step RT-PCR and virus isolation in MDCK cell line. Restriction endonuclease (RE) analysis was used to characterize CDV Nucleocapsid (N) gene.&nbsp; 
 
Conclusion: Only 04 samples (02 nasal and 02 ocular swabs) of 02 dogs found positive for LFA, while 14 serum samples out of 17 samples of 18 dogs found positive for IgG antibody. As all dogs were unvaccinated, serum samples found positive in IgG based ELISA considered for confirmative positive for CDV infection. Whereas 13 samples of 10 dogs found positive for one step RT-PCR and nested one step RT-PCR. In RE digestion, characteristic two bands were found. All representative CDV positive samples of 10 dogs showed characteristic cytopathic effect in MDCK cell line. On age group wise percent positivity was found 71.42 % (05/07) in 0 - &le;6 months, while 77.77% (07/09) in 6- &le;12 months of age group, whereas, both samples were found positive in 12 months and above group. Overall 77.77% (14/18) dogs found positive for CDV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on study of CDV infection in dogs from Gujarat state, India.</div>

Serological and Nucleocapsid Gene Based Molecular Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Isolated from Dogs of Southern Gujarat, India

Background: Canine Parvovirus is a common virus found amongst canines and felines species causing severe gastroenteritis. Many inactivated and live attenuated vaccines have been introduced till now, the emergence of new antigenic variants have raised concerns regarding the efficacy of commercial vaccines. As no specific antiviral therapy has been introduced till date and only symptomatic treatment is done. Therefore, there is need to find alternatives to cure for CPV related issues. According to Ayurveda, cow urine has already been proven effective against various diseases having antibacterial, antifungal, anthelminthic, anticancer property etc, but it has not been tested for its antiviral property till now thus in this study we, have focussed on using Himachali Pahari cattle urine to test its antiviral effects against CPV.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: CPV was confirmed through PCR from faecal samples of diarrhoeic dogs presented to the clinics and was adapted to MDCK cells and different preparations (Raw urine, Cow urine distillates (CUD) and Extracts) of Pahari pregnant and Pahari non pregnant cattle urine were tested at different concentration for cytotoxicity on MDCK cells and final safest concentration was used further against TCID50 value of CPV.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results showed that raw urine was found to be cytotoxic at minimum concentration used and CUD of Pahari pregnant urine were found to be effective. Extracts of both the Pahari pregnant and Pahari non pregnant urine were found to be ineffective against CPV. Pahari pregnant urine distillates (CUD) was found to have mild antiviral effects against CPV as it reduces some virus titre and further studies need to be done for its substantial efficacy.

Serological and Nucleocapsid Gene Based Molecular Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Isolated from Dogs of Southern Gujarat, India

In vitro Evaluation of Antiviral Efficacy of Himachali Pahari Cattle Urine against Canine Parvovirus