Open Access
Issue
Vet. Res.
Volume 37, Number 2, March-April 2006
Page(s) 191 - 200
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2005053
Published online 14 February 2006
How to cite this article Vet. Res. (2006) 191-200
Vet. Res. 37 (2006) 191-200
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2005053

Genetic evolution of canine coronavirus and recent advances in prophylaxis

Annamaria Pratelli

Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy

(Received 30 March 2005; accepted 19 September 2005; published online 11 February 2006)

Abstract - Since the first identification of the virus in 1971, the disease caused by canine coronavirus (CCoV) has not been adequately investigated and the role that the virus plays in canine enteric illness has still not been well established. In the last decade, as a consequence of the relatively high mutation frequency of RNA positive stranded viruses, CCoV has evolved and a new genotype has been identified in the faeces of infected dogs. The several studies carried out by different researchers have focused upon the epidemiological relevance of these viruses and, considering the wide diffusion of CCoV infections among dog populations, the author underlines the need for further investigation on the biology of CCoV and on the pathogenetic role of their infections.


Key words: dog / coronavirus / genetic evolution / prophylaxis

Corresponding author: Annamaria Pratelli a.pratelli@veterinaria.uniba.it

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2006