Canine coronaviruses: emerging and re-emerging pathogens of dogs

Abstract

Canine coronavirus (CCoV) and canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) are highly infectious viruses of dogs classified as Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus, respectively. Both are examples for viruses causing emerging diseases since CCoV originated from a Feline coronavirus-like Alphacoronavirus and CRCoV from a Bovine coronavirus-like Betacoronavirus. In this review article, differences in the genetic organization of CCoV and CRCoV as well as their relation to other coronaviruses are discussed. Clinical pictures varying from an asymptomatic or mild unspecific disease, to respiratory or even an acute generalized illness are reported. The possible role of dogs in the spread of the Betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is crucial to study as animal always played the role of establishing zoonotic diseases in the community.

Keywords

• canine coronavirus
• canine respiratory coronavirus
• sars-cov-2
• genetics
• infectious diseases