Lateral flow assay based detection of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in dogs

Introduction

Viral diseases remain a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in canine populations worldwide, posing a persistent challenge to veterinary public health. Among these, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) stands out as one of the most severe and highly contagious infections. This pathogen presents significant health risks-particularly to unvaccinated puppies and immunocompromised animals and is characterized by high mortality rates and the potential for widespread outbreaks. (Jyothi et al. 2024; Tallapaly, 2024) [8,14] . Canine distemper (CD) is a highly contagious viral disease in dogs, ranking second only to rabies as a leading cause of mortality. The causative agent, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), is a single-stranded, non-segmented, negative-sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, family Paramyxoviridae, and order Mononegavirales (Joshi et al. 2022). Infection with highly virulent strains manifests in a broad clinical spectrum, including conjunctivitis, ocular and nasal discharges, anorexia, and hyperkeratosis of the footpads. Furthermore, it may cause catarrhal inflammation of the bronchi and larynx, as well as pustular lesions on the abdomen and thighs. (Carvalho et al. 2012) [3] . Effective control of CDV infection relies heavily on rapid and accurate diagnosis. Although qPCR remains a standard molecular approach, Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) serve as a critical point-of-care alternative. Because they are cost-effective and produce rapid results without the need for sophisticated infrastructure, LFAs are particularly valuable in field conditions (Abousenna et al. 2024) [1] . By enabling early detection on-site, these assays empower veterinarians to intervene promptly, thereby significantly limiting the spread of the virus in domestic dog populations. (Desai et al. 2020) [4] . The lateral flow assay (LFA) is a significant advancement in diagnostics, offering a costeffective and user-friendly platform for the rapid detection of various infectious diseases across both human and veterinary sectors. (Samy et al. 2020; Sayed et al. 2022) [11,12] .

Materials and Methods

Experimental details

The study was conducted at Shree Veterinary Hospital, Jetpur, during the year 2025.

Sample collection

For the rapid detection of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), a total of 40 nasal swabs were collected from dogs presenting with both neurological and respiratory symptoms.

Detection of CDV by lateral flow assay

To detect Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), the study utilized commercial rapid diagnostic kits (Bionote, Inc.) specifically formulated for clinical swab samples. All assays were conducted in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and standard operating procedures to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the results.

Results and Discussion

In the present study, 17.5% (7/40) of screened dogs tested positive for Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) via lateral flow assay (LFA), with results confirmed by the presence of both control and test bands on the strip (Figure 1). This incidence rate is comparable to the 26.9% reported by Soma et al. (2003) [13] . However, our findings are notably lower than the rates documented by Fischer et al. (2013) [6] , Ogbu et al. (2017) [10] , and Awad (2019) [2] , yet higher than the 2.82% and 9.00% reported by Naghibi et al. (2012) [9] and Dongre et al. (2013) [5] , respectively. These discrepancies likely stem from geographical variation, sample size differences, or temporal shifts in disease prevalence. Ultimately, these results reiterate the utility of LFA as a rapid, field-applicable tool that facilitates the early intervention necessary to improve prognosis and limit viral transmission.

Conclusion

The present investigation evaluated the incidence of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) using Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) diagnostic kits, recording a 17.5% positivity rate. This reflects a significant viral burden within the study population. Our findings demonstrate that LFA kits are an effective solution for rapid, on-site diagnosis, particularly in field settings lacking advanced laboratory infrastructure. By providing reliable results, these kits facilitate early detection and the timely initiation of therapy-factors essential for reducing disease severity, limiting transmission, and decreasing mortality. Ultimately, these results underscore the importance of integrating point-of-care diagnostics into routine veterinary practice and large-scale disease surveillance programs.

References

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