Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Pathogens
Summary
Canine infectious respiratory disease represents a complex syndrome in which a diverse array of viral and bacterial agents interact to produce clinical signs ranging from mild tracheobronchitis to severe pneumonia. Key viral contributors include canine adenovirus type 2, canine distemper virus, canine parainfluenza virus, canine influenza viruses (notably H3N2 and H3N8), canine respiratory coronavirus and emerging pneumoviruses and herpesviruses. Bacterial pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and various Mycoplasma species often complicate viral infections or act as primary agents. Co-infections are commonplace and may exacerbate pathology through synergistic effects on mucosal barriers and immune modulation. Host factors including age, vaccination status and environmental stressors in kenneled or shelter populations shape disease susceptibility and severity. Advances in molecular diagnostics, such as multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays, have enhanced pathogen detection and differentiation, informing both individual case management and wider epidemiological surveillance. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, although antigenic drift and emergence of novel strains demand ongoing monitoring. The global distribution of these pathogens underlines their significance for canine welfare, veterinary public health and potential zoonotic considerations.
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Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Pathogens publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in canine infectious respiratory disease pathogens across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
coinfection: simultaneous infection by two or more pathogens that can interact to influence disease severity.
multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR assay: a molecular test that amplifies and detects multiple nucleic acid targets in a single reaction.
dysbiosis: an imbalance in the composition or function of microbial communities, often linked to disease states.
References
- Development and Validation of a Panel of One-Step Four-Plex qPCR/RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Pathogens Associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex. Viruses (2023).
- Canine infectious respiratory disease: New insights into the etiology and epidemiology of associated pathogens. PLOS ONE (2019).
- Analysis of the lung microbiota in dogs with Bordetella bronchiseptica infection and correlation with culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary Research (2020).
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