Antigenic detection of Canine Coronavirus in diarrheic dogs in Ahvaz

The Purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Canine Coronavirus (CCV)in diarrheic dogs of Ahvaz district. Fecal samples were collected from 58 diarrheic dogsbetween 2005 and 2006. Dogs were grouped by age (less than and above 6 months), sex, breed,geographical location (urban and rural) and quality of diarrhea (hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic)to determine whether these factors were associated with coronavirus infection,using Fischer s exact test. Prevalence to CCV antigens in these dogs was 3.45% (2 of 58) bymeans of immunochromatography assay (IC) indicating that this virus is present in theenvironment. Though the infection had more prevalence in dogs less than 6 months, ruraldogs and German shepherds, but there were no significant differences between differentsexes, age groups, breeds, location and quality of diarrhea (p 0.05). CBC in 2 dogs that wereaffected with coronavirus infection was normal. This study that is the first report onprevalence of CCV in Iran showed that CCV infection in the Ahvaz dogs may be attributedas a cause of viral diarrhea in dogs. A vaccine is recommended, especially for open populationand kennel dogs that are at a high risk for contacting the virus.