Canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the most common causes of acute
haemorrhagic enteritis in young dogs, while clinical diagnosis is often
indecisive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy
of an in-clinic rapid test in the detection of CPV infection in dogs. To
this end, we compared the Rapid Diagnostic Kit of Canine Parvovirus,
Coronavirus and Rotavirus antigen (Quicking (R)) to PCR, which is
considered as the most reliable diagnostic method. A total of 78
duplicated faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeic dogs.
Vaccination history within a month prior to the onset of diarrhoea was
reported for 12 of the sampled dogs. The rapid diagnostic test was
performed in 23 of the faecal samples directly, while the rest were
placed into a sterile cotton tipped swab suitable for collection and
transportation of viruses (Sigma Sigma-VCM (R)) and stored at -20
degrees C The sensitivity of the Quicking rapid diagnostic test compared
to PCR in the total number of samples, in samples from non-vaccinated
dogs and in samples tested directly after collection were 22.22% (95%
CI: 13.27-33.57%), 26.67% (95% CI: 16.08-39.66%) and 76.47% (95%
CI: 50.10-93.04%) respectively, while the specificity of the test was
100% in any case. In conclusion, negative results do not exclude
parvoenteritis from the differential diagnosis, especially in dogs with
early vaccination history, but a positive result almost certainly
indicates CPV infection. An improved sensitivity may be expected when
the test is performed immediately. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights
reserved
