Abstract:
Canine parvovirus first emerged in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), most likely as a variant of
the feline panleucopaenia virus. Relatively recently, canine parvovirus-2a and canine
parvovirus-2b infections have been identified in both symptomatic and asymptomatic
domestic cats, while canine parvovirus infections have also been demonstrated in wild felids.
This report documents the first known case of canine parvovirus-2b detected in unvaccinated
serval (Leptailurus serval) from South Africa. The serval presented with clinical signs of
vomiting, anorexia and diarrhoea that responded to symptomatic treatment. Two weeks later,
severe leucopaenia, thrombocytopenia and death occurred. Typical enteric histological lesions
of parvovirus infection were not observed on histopathological examination of the small
intestine; however, histological lesions consistent with septicaemia were present. Canine
parvovirus was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded small intestine using polymerase
chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the canine parvovirus viral capsid
protein gene showed similarities between the sample from the serval and canine parvovirus-
2b isolates from domestic dogs in Argentina and South Africa. A case of canine parvovirus-2b
in a domestic dog from South Africa in 2012 that fell within the same clade as the serval sample
appears distantly related because of the long branch length. The significance of these findings
is explored. More extensive surveys of canine parvovirus in domestic and wild felids and
canids are needed to understand the epidemiology of canine parvovirus in non-domestic
felids in South Africa.
