Detection of Selected Canine Viruses in Nigerian Free-Ranging Dogs Traded for Meat Consumption

Simple Summary Dog meat is a delicacy in many countries of the world, including Nigeria. Here, we report the identification of selected canine viruses in trade dogs. The results showed that canine parvovirus circulates in trade dogs at a high frequency and provides the first molecular evidence of canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine circovirus (CaCV) in that country. Animal trade favors the spreading of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Concerns have been previously expressed regarding the risks of dog trade in spreading zoonotic pathogens in Nigeria. However, the role of these dogs in disseminating highly pathogenic canine viruses has not yet been explored. The present study aimed to identify selected canine viruses in dogs traded for meat consumption in Nigeria. A total of 100 blood samples were screened for carnivore protoparvovirus-1 (CPPV-1), canine adenovirus 1/2 (CAdV-1/2), canine circovirus (CaCV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) by using real-time PCR and conventional PCR and/or sequencing. CPPV-1 DNA was identified in 83% of canine samples while CaCV DNA and CDV RNA were detected in 14% and 17% of the dog samples, respectively. None of the dogs tested positive for CAdV-1/2. The CaCVs identified in this study clustered along with other European, Asian, and American strains. Moreover, CDV strains identified in Nigeria clustered in a separate lineage with the closest genetic relatedness to the Europe-South America-1 clade. Further surveys prior to and after arrival of dogs at the slaughtering points are required to clarify the real virus burden in these animals.

Automated summary

Dog meat consumption is common in Nigeria, but the presence of canine viruses in trade dogs has not been explored. This study identified the molecular evidence of canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, and canine circovirus in trade dogs in Nigeria. These findings highlight the potential role of dog trade in spreading highly pathogenic canine viruses and the need for further surveys to determine the virus burden in these animals.