Infectious canine hepatitis in central Europe - Canine Adenovirus-(CAV)-1 infection in a puppy in Germany

Infectious Canine Hepatitis is caused by Canine Adenovirus-1 (CAV-1) infection and leads to severe necrotizing hepatitis in dogs. Its prevalence in Central Europe has decreased due to routine vaccination and it is thought to be eliminated in several regions. A 4 months old, intact male, mixed breed dog was evaluated for a sudden onset of depression, diarrhoea, and vomiting. On physical and ultrasonographic examination, fever, lymphadenopathy, painful abdomen, mucosal bleeding, ascites, gallbladder wall thickening, and a hyperechoic liver were found. The dog was euthanized and severe necrotizing hepatitis was diagnosed at necropsy. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in hepatocytes and in endothelial cells. Electronmicroscopically, the inclusions were suggested to be of adenoviral origin. Using polymerase chain reaction, CAV-1-specific nucleic acid was detected in organ pool specimens. This report demonstrates that infectious canine hepatitis is still prevalent in Central Europe and emphasizes the continued need of vaccination against a disease that was considered to be eliminated in Germany.