Adenovirus associated hepatitis in dog pups

Abstract

Infectious canine hepatitis is a serious liver illness that affects dogs, caused by canine adenovirus 1 (CAdV-1). The disease is now seen infrequently due to vaccination practices. In the present study, carcasses of two, one-month old male non-descript dog pups were presented to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Hisar for necropsy. During necropsy, external examination revealed swelling around neck region and pale-white conjunctival mucous membranes. Internal examination revealed presence of serosanguineous fluid in thoracic and abdominal cavities. Liver was enlarged and showed haemorrhages and small multifocal areas of necrosis. Haemorrhages were noticed in lungs, spleen, kidneys, and brain (cerebellum). Kidneys, heart, and spleen revealed enlargement. Multiple necrotic foci were noticed in spleen. Histopathological examination of liver revealed diffuse fatty changes, focal necrosis, congestion, sinusoidal dilatation and haemorrhages. Hepatocytes also revealed characteristic basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies surrounded by a clear zone. Sections of kidneys showed mild degenerative changes in the renal tubules, widespread congestion, and haemorrhages in the capsular region. Mesenteric lymph node showed severe congestion, mild lymphoid depletion, and infiltration of few neutrophils in medulla. Necrosis was observed in white pulp area of spleen. Lungs revealed congestion, haemorrhages, thickened interstitial septa and emphysema. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using hexon gene base primers, DNA of adenovirus was detected in liver tissue. In conclusion, pathological findings and positive PCR results for genus Adenovirus suggests that the dog puppies were affected by infectious canine hepatitis.