ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to genetically characterize CPV isolates from Korea. The VP2 gene of 31 isolates was characterized by DNA sequencing and their phylogeny. Among the 31 field CPV isolates, 28 isolates were classified as type 2a and other 3 isolates as type 2b. The isolates in 2a-I, II and III subclusters have unique mutations. The isolates in 2a-IV and V subclusters had similar amino acid sequences to type 2a isolates from other parts of the world. The isolates in type 2b had similar amino acid sequences to type 2b isolates from Asia, Italy, and U.S.A. The molecular analysis of VP2 gene of CPV provided the useful information for the identification of CPV types and the understanding of their genetic relationship.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic features of canine coronavirus (CCV) strains detected in Korea. M gene sequences obtained for isolates from 22 dogs with enteritis over a 5-year period were evaluated. Sequence comparison revealed that the 22 Korean CCV strains had an 87.2 to 100% nucleotide homology. Comparing to the typical reference CCV strains (type II), the nucleotide sequence of Korean strains had homology ranged from 86.3% to 98.3% (89.1% to 99.2% for the amino acid sequence) and 87.7% to 97.8% (92.4% to 100% for the amino acid sequence) when compared to FCoV-like CCV strains (type I). Three amino acid variations in the M gene were characteristic for the Korean CCV strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the 22 Korean CCV strains belonged to four typical CCV clusters (i.e., a unique Korean CCV cluster, a type II and transmissible gastroenteritis virus cluster, an intermediate cluster between type I and II, and a type I cluster). This study was the first to identify genetic differences of the M gene from Korean CCV strains and provided a platform for molecular identification of different Korean CCV strains.

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Three Yorkshire Terriers (12-year-old, 13-year-old, and 15-year-old castrated males) with respiratory distress, coughing and anorexia were the subjects of this report. In laboratory examinations, there were no remarkable findings. However, the thoracic radiographic findings included a large mass of soft tissue density in the cardiac base region, tracheal elevation, and aortic bulging in all three Yorkshire Terriers. There were no remarkable findings in the abdominal radiographs. In echocardiography, a homogeneous hyperechoic mass around the aorta and bicuspid valve regurgitation were found in all three dogs. There were no remarkable findings in abdominal ultrasonography. Computed tomographic findings showed a large well -defined heterogeneous mass in the cranial vena cava, which was dominant in the left side in all three Yorkshire Terriers. The mass sizes were about 3 × 4 cm. In post-contrast scanning, contrast enhancement was evident. These cases were diagnosed as heart-base tumor. Treatments provided to the three dogs were based on symptomatic medical management of cardiac failure and tracheal collapse. Case 1 (12-year-old) survived for 3 months, case 2 (13-year-old) for 5 months, and case 3 (15-year-old) for 32 months after the diagnosis. Our results show that the clinical findings, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) and symptomatic medical management in dogs suspected to have heart base tumor.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of egg yolk antibody, immunoglobulin Y (IgY), against canine parvovirus (CPV) was evaluated in 25 pups orally challenged with CPV-2a. Oral administration of IgY using powder, paste and coated paste delivery systems was compared. Each type of IgY was administered orally for 17 days from 3 days before challenge. The group of pups administered coated IgY showed mild symptoms such as a moderate decrease in total white blood cell count, no depression, vomiting and diarrhea when compared with other groups. The overall clinical score of the group of pups administered coated IgY was significantly lower than that of the challenge control group. However, mortality did not differ among groups because not all pups received symptomatic treatment. These results implied that oral treatment of coated IgY could improve therapeutic effects against CPV challenge if pups received symptomatic treatment.