Molecular Evidence for The Potential Role of Red Foxes in Canine Distemper Virus Circulation
XVII. Ulusal Veteriner Hekimleri Mikrobiyoloji Kongresi, Ankara, Türkiye, 6 - 08 Ekim 2026, ss.12, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.12
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background and Objectives: Canine distemper virus (CDV), a member of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae, is an important viral pathogen with a broad host range. Owing to its ability to infect numerous wild carnivore species in addition to domestic dogs, CDV represents a significant threat to wildlife conservation and disease ecology. In recent years, increasing urbanization and habitat loss have intensified contact between wildlife and domestic animals, facilitating interspecies transmission of the virus. Previous studies conducted in Türkiye have demonstrated the circulation of the Europe-1, Arctic-like, and more recently, Asia-1 CDV lineages in domestic dogs. Due to its high genetic variability, the hemagglutinin (H) gene is widely used as the primary target for the molecular detection and genetic characterization of CDV. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of CDV in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), one of the most common wildlife species in Türkiye, and to perform phylogenetic characterization based on the complete CDV H gene.
Materials and Methods: The study included thirteen red foxes admitted to the Erzurum Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, 13th Regional Directorate. Ocular, oral, and rectal swab samples were collected from all animals, and viral nucleic acids were extracted. Subsequently, cDNA synthesis was performed, followed by H gene-specific PCR analysis. The CDV-positive sample was subjected to Sanger sequencing, and the obtained sequence was analyzed using bioinformatic methods.
Results: PCR analysis detected the CDV H gene in one of the thirteen red foxes (7.7%). Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained CDV H gene sequence together with reference sequences demonstrated that the detected CDV strain clustered within the Europe-1 lineage.
Conclusion: This study reports the first molecular detection of CDV in red foxes in Türkiye and demonstrates the circulation of a Europe-1 lineage CDV strain in wildlife. The occurrence of distinct CDV lineages in domestic animals and wildlife highlights the importance of considering viral genetic diversity when developing disease prevention and control strategies. Furthermore, comprehensive surveillance of wildlife populations and investigations into the antigenic and serological relationships between circulating CDV lineages and vaccine strains are expected to improve disease control and enhance our understanding of CDV circulation dynamics.