P. Byrnea, J.A. Beatty, J. Šlapeta, S.W. Corley, R.E. Lyons, L. McMichael, M.T. Kyaw-Tanner, P.T. Dung, N. Decaro, J. Meers, V.R. Barrs. The Veterinary Journal 239 (2018) 54–58.
Canine and feline parvoviruses are important pathogens of dogs and cats. Infection leads to fecal shedding of the virus. Previous studies have shown that cats may be infected with canine parvovirus and as many as a third may shed the virus without any symptoms of infection, leading to concern over spread to dogs. This study examined samples from shelter cats in Australia to see if asymptomatic shedding of canine parvovirus is occurring.
Two hundred eighteen fecal samples from cats in three shelters were tested for canine parvovirus by PCR (detection of genetic material). In none of the samples tested was canine parvovirus detected, and only four had feline parvovirus. This study showed that while cats can be a reservoir for canine parvovirus, they were not epidemiologically important as a potential source of the virus for dogs. (MK)