Canine and Phocine Distemper Viruses: Global Spread and Genetic Basis of Jumping Species Barriers

Abstract

Canine distemper virus (CDV) and phocine distemper (PDV) are closely-related members of the Paramyxoviridae family, genus morbillivirus, in the order Mononegavirales. CDV has a broad host range among carnivores. PDV is thought to be derived from CDV through contact between terrestrial carnivores and seals. PDV has caused extensive mortality in Atlantic seals and other marine mammals, and more recently has spread to the North Pacific Ocean. CDV also infects marine carnivores, and there is evidence of morbillivirus infection of seals and other species in Antarctica. Recently, CDV has spread to felines and other wildlife species in the Serengeti and South Africa. Some CDV vaccines may also have caused wildlife disease. Changes in the virus haemagglutinin (H) protein, particularly the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) receptor binding site, correlate with adaptation to non-canine hosts. Differences in the phosphoprotein (P) gene sequences between disease and non-disease causing CDV strains may relate to pathogenicity in domestic dogs and wildlife. Of most concern are reports of CDV infection and disease in non-human primates raising the possibility of zoonosis. In this article we review the global occurrence of CDV and PDV, and present both historical and genetic information relating to these viruses crossing species barriers.

Inhibition of canine distemper virus replication by blocking pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis with A77 1726, the active metabolite of the anti-inflammatory drug leflunomide

“…Canine distemper is a highly contagious infectious disease with a wide range of susceptible hosts [1]. Vaccination does not provide full protection to immunized animals [3].…”

“…Canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus, CDV) has a wide range of susceptible hosts, including domestic and wild carnivores such as dog, fox, wolf, mink, ferret, otter and panda [1]. CDV infection causes canine distemper (CD), a highly contagious and acutely febrile disease of dogs [1]. CDV preferentially infects epithelial, lymphoid and neurological cells and results in respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders [2].…”

“…Vaccination with two strains of modified live virus (Onderstepoort and Rockborn) is the mainstay of CDV prevention [3]. However, the efficacy of these two vaccines varies among different animal species [1,3]. There is an urgent need to develop novel antiviral agents to treat CDV infections.…”

“…Canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus, CDV) has a wide range of susceptible hosts, including domestic and wild carnivores such as dog, fox, wolf, mink, ferret, otter and panda [1]. CDV infection causes canine distemper (CD), a highly contagious and acutely febrile disease of dogs [1].…”

Morbilliviruses: Entry, Exit and Everything In-Between

“…Jo and colleagues investigated the origin of canine distemper virus (CDV) strains responsible for epidemics in seals, identifying a novel clade, with ancestral origins, as the causative strain [1]. This focus on morbillivirus infections in marine mammals was also addressed in two reviews by Kennedy et al, and Ohishi et al, who summarised the mechanistic evidence that is helping researchers to understand the genetic determinants of host range and pathogenesis [2,3]. One of the key factors determining host-range is the capacity of various morbilliviruses to use cognate and non-cognate host SLAM proteins to enter cells.…”