Investigation of canine distemper virus infection in dogs in theAntalya province

In this study, blood samples from 92 dogs, aged 2 to 12 months, that were brought to the Rehabilitation Center and private veterinary clinics in Antalya with various internal medical problems were examined for Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infection. Samples were tested using commercial immunochromatographic rapid test (CDV Ag-Antigen Rapid Test kit®, BioNote. Inc., Republic of Korea) for detection of CDV-antigens and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for detection of CDV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies (Distemper IgG Ab ELISA, Biopronix AGROLABO, Italy). The most common clinical findings in the 92 dogs sampled were mucopurulent discharge in the eye (45.65%), nasal hyperkeratosis (35.87%), nasal mucopurulent discharge (25%), cough (13.04%), diarrhea (8%). 70), and fatigue (6.52%). 5.43% (5/92) of the samples examined by immunochromatographic rapid test were positive. Positivity rate of IgG antibodies by ELISA was 19.56% (18/92) (17.7% low, 32.3% medium, 28.1% high titer). The positivity rate of IgM antibodies determined by ELISA was 94.56% (87/92) (60.4% low to medium, 31.3% high titer). Of the 92 dogs tested by ELISA for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies, 91 (98.91%) were positive for one or both IgG or IgM antibodies, and 1 (1.09%) was negative for both antibodies. 70 (76.09%) of the dogs were positive for both antibodies (IgM and IgG antibodies). 4.35% (4/92) of the dogs were positive only for IgG antibodies and 18.48% (17/92) were positive only for IgM. In conclusion, it was determined that CDV infection is actively circulating in the Antalya province and poses a risk for unvaccinated dogs in the region.