First documented report of CHV-1 infection of a pregnant bitch in Greece

Canine herpesvirus (CHV-1) infection can cause acute neonatal viremia followed by puppy mortality, systemic viremia in pregnant females (resulting in fetal death, abortion, and mummification) and ocular/respiratory disease in dogs of various ages1. In the adults CHV-1 infection is usually asymptomatic. The disease is endemic in central Europe and, to the author’s knowledge, has never been reported in Greece. This study presents the first case of CHV-1 infection of a pregnant bitch in Greece. A 3 years old, healthy and vaccinated Rottweiler bitch, was mated with a stud of the same breed from Germany. On the 25th day of pregnancy (day 0, the day of LH peak) the bitch underwent sonographic examination. At least 8 normal embryos were imaged. Parturition occurred on day 64: 4 alive and 2 dead puppies were delivered. Another neonate died on the 3rd day postpartum and necropsy was performed. Selected organs and tissues underwent further histopathological examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed in order to investigate the presence of CHV-1. Cerebellar hypoplasia, diffuse and non-suppurative encephalitis, chronic interstitial pneumonia and microhemorrhages in the lungs and liver were observed. CHV-1 DNA was detected in a variety of cell types by PCR. The pathological findings along with history, clinical and laboratory findings confirmed CHV-1 fetal infection. This is the first case that the presence of CHV-1 has been identified in newborns and correlated with reproduction problems in Greece. Nevertheless, this case might be the tip of the iceberg and might not be the first CHV-1 dog infection occurring in Greece. The mission of this first documented case is to induce practitioners to include CHV-1 in the differential diagnosis of cases of late stage abortions, stillbirths and sudden deaths of puppies up to 4 weeks of age, with the aim of limiting the potential diffusion in Greece. [1] Evermann JF, Ledbetter EC, Maes RK. Canine reproductive, respiratory, and ocular diseases due to canine herpesvirus. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract.2011;41:1097-120.