Fatal H3N2 Infections in Companion Dogs in Korea
Recombinomics Commentary 13:38
April 2, 2008
In South Korea, where avian influenza virus subtypes H3N2, H5N1, H6N1, and H9N2 circulate or have been detected, 3 genetically similar canine influenza virus (H3N2) strains of avian origin (A/canine/Korea/01/07, A/canine/Korea/02/07, and A/canine/Korea/03/07) were isolated from dogs exhibiting severe respiratory disease.
Consistent with histologic observation of lung lesions, large amounts of avian influenza virus binding receptor (SAα 2,3-gal) were identified in canine tracheal, bronchial, and bronchiolar epithelial cells, which suggests potential for direct transmission of avian influenza virus (H3N2) from poultry to dogs.
Our data provide evidence that dogs may play a role in interspecies transmission and spread of influenza virus.
The above description from an abstract in an upcoming paper describes the detection of avian H3N2 in fatal infections in domestic dogs in South Korea. Although the H3N2 is most closely related to avian isolates, related sequences include H5N1. Prior reports of canine influenza in the United States detail H3N8 infections, involving sequences closely related to equine influenza.
Both H3N8 and H3N2 are readily transmitted dog to dog and the multiple serotypes isolates from dogs (H3N2, H3N8, H5N1) raise concerns of accelerated influenza evolution involving the acquisition of mammalian polymorphisms.
The phylogenetic tree in the paper indicated that the 2007 H3N2 isolates in dogs, were most closely related to human H3N2 from the early 1970’s, raising concerns that dogs could serve as reservoirs for earlier human polymorphisms.
These findings raise significant concerns regarding the lack of influenza surveillance in multiple species, including domestic dogs and cats.
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