Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of Canine Distemper Infection in Dogs and its Effect on Haemato-biochemical, Oxidative and CNS Biomarkers

The present study was conducted (July, 2022-June, 2025) in and around the Aizawl district of Mizoram to know the epidemiological status of canine distemper infection in dogs in the Aizawl district of Mizoram and its effect on haemato- biochemical, oxidative and CNS biomarkers. Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection was responsible for high morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. A limited number of studies have been carried out on canine distemper in Mizoram. Out of 1000, 95 cases (9.5%) were confirmed positive by a rapid diagnostic kit and molecular technique with a high case fatality rate (86.32%). CDV remains a serious threat to canine health, particularly in non-vaccinated, purebred, and young (1-2 years) dogs, with winter showing peak incidence in Mizoram. PCR amplification of positive cDNA yielded a 286 bp fragment of the partial nucleocapsid (N) gene of CDV which was identical to each other and showed 96.2-100% identity within the Asia-1 genotype of CDV, indicating low polymorphism. It may be responsible for hematobiochemical alterations, oxidative stress imbalance, changes in CNS-specific biomarkers, and cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities. The progressive elevation of myelin basic protein (MBP) and Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in non-survivors indicates severe demyelination and neuronal damage in advanced CDV infection. Overall, integration of hemato-biochemical, oxidative, CNS biomarkers and CSF, data provides a comprehensive approach for assessing disease severity, predicting outcomes, and differentiating survivors from non-survivors.