TitleDetection of canine distemper virus by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in the urine of dogs with clinical signs of distemper encephalitis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsSaito, TB, Alfieri, AA, Wosiacki, SR, Negrão, FJ, de Morais, HAutran, Alfieri, AF
JournalResearch in veterinary science
Volume80
Issue1
Pagination116-9
Date Published2006 Feb
KeywordsReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Abstract

In a prospective study we evaluated the use of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in urine samples to diagnose canine distemper virus in dogs with progressive neurological disease. A fragment of the nucleoprotein gene of canine distemper virus was amplified from the urine of 22 distemper dogs. The body fluids and leukocytes of 12 asymptomatic dogs were RT-PCR negative. RT-PCR of urine samples was more sensitive than serum and leukocytes and at least as sensitive as cerebrospinal fluid to screen for distemper in dogs with neurological signs and extraneural systemic signs.