Pathology Isolation and Identification of Canine Herpesvirus (CHV-1) in Mexico

Abstract

This work presents the pathology description, isolation and identification of canine herpesvirus (CHV-1) in Mexico, a virus that causes a generalized hemorrhagic infection in puppies from the canidae family. Methods: Isolates were obtained from puppies that died within the first four weeks of life and had lesions consistent with canine herpesvirus. Results: The main gross lesions were petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in kidneys, liver and lungs; proliferative interstitial nephritis; multifocal necrosis in liver and kidneys; and encephalitis with intranuclear inclusion bodies. Herpesvirus was confirmed through direct immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction for DNA polymerase and glycoprotein B genes. Discussion: Eight strains were isolated and identified as canine herpesvirus corresponding to three of the working cases with gross and microscopic lesions very similar to those described in the literature; then, isolates were confirmed by PCR gene amplification, positive reactions on immunofluorescence and observations from electron microscopy. This work represents the first report of this disease, including gross and histological lesions, and confirmation by isolation and identification of the canine herpesvirus in Mexico.