Viruses (Jan 2024)

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Two Canine Herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) Isolates and Clinicopathological Outcomes of Infection in French Bulldog Puppies

  • Angela Maria Rocchigiani,
  • Loris Bertoldi,
  • Elisabetta Coradduzza,
  • Giada Lostia,
  • Davide Pintus,
  • Rosario Scivoli,
  • Maria Giovanna Cancedda,
  • Mariangela Stefania Fiori,
  • Roberto Bechere,
  • Anna Pina Murtino,
  • Giovanni Pala,
  • Giusy Cardeti,
  • Simona Macioccu,
  • Maria Antonietta Dettori,
  • Antonio Pintore,
  • Ciriaco Ligios,
  • Giantonella Puggioni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16020209
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 2
p. 209

Abstract

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Canine herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) infects dogs, causing neonatal death and ocular, neurological, respiratory, and reproductive problems in adults. Although CaHV-1 is widespread in canine populations, only four studies have focused on the CaHV-1 whole genome. In such context, two CaHV-1 strains from both the kidney and spleen of 20-day-old deceased French Bulldog puppies were recently isolated in Sardinia, Italy. The extracted viral DNA underwent whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The Italian CaHV-1 genomes were nearly identical (>99%), shared the same tree branch, and clustered near the ELAL-1 (MW353125) and BTU-1 (KX828242) strains, enlarging the completely separated clade discussed by Lewin et al., in 2020. This study aims to provide new insights on the evolution of the CaHV-1, based on high-resolution whole-genome phylogenetic analysis, and on its clinicopathological characterization during a fatal outbreak in puppies.

Keywords