Co-infections with Respiratory Viruses in Dogs with Bacterial Pneumonia

Viitanen, S.J.; Lappalainen, A.; Rajamäki, M.M.

Canine parainfluenza virus was prevalent despite recent vaccination, which can be considered indicative of poor vaccine-induced antibody coverage against CPIV. In contrast, CAV and CDV were not encountered in dogs vaccinated against these viruses. This finding is in accordance with previous reports. In a longitudinal study on respiratory viruses in a rehoming center in England, CPIV was commonly detected despite regular vaccinations, but CDV and CAV-2 were not encountered, most likely because of adequate vaccination coverage. 13 It remains unknown whether more efficient CPIV vaccines and possible CRCoV vaccinations could decrease the incidence of BP, as has been shown in humans, in whom protection against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus decreased the incidence of secondary bacterial infections. [50] [51] [52] Nosocomial infections with respiratory viruses also have been reported in dogs. An outbreak of CPIV was described in an animal hospital and an outbreak of CHV was reported in immunocompromised dogs. 53, 54 Because co-infections with CIRD viruses are shown to be common in dogs with BP, the infection risk needs to be taken into account when treating BP patients in the same premises (eg, intensive care units) with immunocompromised patients.