Background and Aims: Canine herpesvirus type 1 (CHV-1), belongs to the Varicellovirus genus within the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily of the Herpesviridae family. It causes severe disease in neonatal canines, often resulting in death, but can also lead to reproductive issues in adult canines. The virus is primarily transmitted through oronasal exposure during birth, but can also spread through venereal and transplacental routes. CHV-1 establishes a latent carrier state after infection, predominantly found in ganglia, salivary glands, tonsils, and hepatic tissue. Reactivation can occur due to stress or immunosuppression. The virus induces a weak immune response, resulting in variable antibody levels. Canine herpesvirus type 1 has a worldwide distribution and is prevalent in large-scale breeding kennels with a history of neonatal infections. In adult canines, CHV-1 can cause ocular manifestations, ranging from eyelid and conjunctival inflammation to corneal conditions. The disease can manifest bilaterally or asymmetrically between eyes, with severity influenced by age and immune status. While primary ocular infections are subclinical or mild in healthy dogs, they can worsen in immunosuppressed individuals. Symptoms include blepharospasm, photophobia, ocular discharge, and corneal lesions like keratitis. Studies have shown varying seroprevalence rates of CHV-1 among canine populations across different regions, with factors like age, gender, and housing conditions influencing antibody titers. In neonatal canines, CHV-1 can led to fatal systemic disease with clinical signs like rapid respiration and abdominal discomfort. Maternal infection during gestation can result in fetal loss or other adverse outcomes. Maternal antibodies from seropositive dams provide protective immunity to puppies. Various diagnostic methods like PCR, serology, and histopathology are used to confirm CHV-1 infection, with some cases showing active viremia in blood and other samples. Reactivation of latent infection can occur in adult dogs under certain conditions, leading to clinical disease. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and managing CHV-1 infections in canine populations to prevent disease spread and adverse outcomes. |
