Canine Parvovirus

Current Status and Protection of Vaccines Against New Viral Variants Circulating in the Region

Abstract

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) type 2 is one of the main causative agents of diarrhea in puppies in different parts of the world. In recent years there has been an important concern about this disease because after its discovery, in the late 70’s, new virus variants (CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c) have been found. This disease is associated with a major viral pathogen in puppies; in Uruguay the main circulating variants are CPV-2a and CPV-2c. It has been observed that the clinical symptoms produced by infection with the new viral variants are slightly different from those produced by the original (CPV-2). The way to control CPV is through vaccination of susceptible animals. Currently, the ability of new vaccines to confer protection against new variants is discussed. Some authors assert that the CPV-2 vaccines effectively protect against the disease caused by new variants. Nevertheless, other studies demonstrate the contrary. The goal of this review is to gather existing current literature, in order to facilitate interpretation of the situation of canine parvovirus in Uruguay and the region.