THE APPLICATION OF A RT-PCR TECHNIQUE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANINE DISTEMPER USING PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS

Abstract

The application of a Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) on 37
canine distemper cases was performed by the amplification of the nucleo-capsid gene derived from the canine distemper virus or CDV-infected mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The animals were divided into 2 groups according to their clinical signs. The first group of animals showed signs of distemper, such as respiratory and/or digestive signs. The second group showed the same signs as first group but with nervous involvements. The findings revealed that 74.1% (20/27) of group 1 tested positive with the RT-PCR assay compared to 60% (6/10) of group 2. These results suggested that RT-PCR is a useful early diagnostic tool for CDV infected animals.