Parvoviruses of carnivores include three closely related autonomous parvoviruses: canine parvovirus (CPV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and mink enteritis virus (MEV). These viruses cause a variety of serious diseases, especially in young patients, since they have a remarkable predilection for replication in rapidly dividing cells. FPV is not the only parvovirus species which infects cats; in addition to MEV, the new variants of canine parvovirus, CPV-2a, 2b and 2c have also penetrated the feline host-range, and they are able to infect and replicate in cats, causing diseases indistinguishable from feline panleukopenia. Furthermore, as cats are susceptible to both CPV-2 and FPV viruses, superinfection and co-infection with multiple parvovirus strains may occur, potentially facilitating recombination and high genetic heterogeneity. In the light of the importance of cats as a potential source of genetic diversity for parvoviruses and, since feline panleukopenia virus has re-emerged as a major cause of mortality in felines, the present study has explored the molecular characteristics of parvovirus strains circulating in cat populations. The most significant findings reported in this study were (a) the detection of mixed infection FPV/CPV with the presence of one parvovirus variant which is a true intermediate between FPV/CPV and (b) the quasispecies cloud size of one CPV sample variant 2c. In conclusion, this study provides new important results about the evolutionary dynamics of CPV infections in cats, showing that CPV has presumably started a new process of readaptation in feline hosts.

No abstract

The VP2 genes of Italian canine parvovirus (CPV) type 2 strains isolated from dogs and wolves were sequenced and a three-dimensional model of the VP2 capsid protein was constructed. Two mutations were detected in the VP2 sequences of the Italian strains : one at residue 297 and one at residue 265. Variant 297 is the predominant CPV isolate in Europe, whereas variant 265 has never been detected before. The mutation at residue 265 causes a disruption in a G strand of the β-barrel in the VP2 protein. Data on strains isolated from wolves demonstrated that the same strain of CPV can circulate among domestic and wild canids ; therefore, this result leads us to exclude the possibility that a separate parvovirus pool exists in wild populations.Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is an important pathogen in domestic dogs and several wild carnivore species. It was first identified in USA in 1978 (Appel et al., 1979) and was found later to have spread worldwide in domestic and wild canid populations.After its initial appearance, it was shown that antigenic drift continuously changes the antigenicity of CPV : the original CPV-2 strain has been completely replaced by the newer antigenic types CPV-2a and CPV-2b , which have also extended their host range to include cats (Mochizuki et al., 1996). The new types of CPV differ from the original type 2 strain in that there are some nucleotide changes (positions 3045, 3685, 3699, 4062 and 4449) in the gene encoding the VP2 coat protein Truyen et al., 1995). Sequences important for the determination of antigenic type and for the control of host range are located in the VP2 capsid protein (Parrish, 1991 ;Chang et al., 1992).

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the incidence and characteristics of injuries caused by dogs and cats in the population of a major Italian city. Methods: The clinical records of all patients attending the emergency department (ED) were obtained from the two main hospitals of the city, covering an estimated population of over half a million. A case was defined as a patient admitted for bite or scratch injuries caused by dogs, cats, or other mammals between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2002. For each case, the information collected included age and sex of the patient, the anatomical site of the injury, and the species of the animal involved. Results: The average yearly incidence of dog and cat bite/scratches was 58.4 and 17.9 cases per 100 000 residents, respectively. Admissions peaked during the summer months. Dogs accounted for 76.9% and cats for 19.7% of cases. Dog injuries were significantly more common in males and younger individuals. Children younger than 9 years had a significantly higher risk of being bitten on the head, face, or neck. Conversely, injuries from cats were significantly more common in females and older people. Conclusions: Surveillance of injuries caused by dogs and cats could provide useful information for planning and evaluating public health interventions. Collection of data from hospital EDs may be an appropriate, simple, and quick tool for monitoring the phenomenon and evaluating the associated risk factors.

No abstract