Optimization and comparison of real-time reverse transcription PCR with conventional PCR for detection of canine distemper virus

Canine distemper virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus family Paramyxoviridae. It causes a serious, highly contagious, often fatal, disease of dogs and many carnivores resulting in respiratory and gastro-intestinal disease with frequent involvement of the central nervous system. Although vaccination against CDV disease has been widely used for many decades, this infection still represents an important disease of dogs. Though conventional RT-PCR is widely used for the diagnosis of CDV, Real-time RT-PCR because of its ease of performance and high sensitivity gained more attention. In this study we have optimized SYBR green based Real-time RT-PCR for detection of CDV and also compared its performance with conventional PCR. A total of 228 fecal samples/rectal swabs were collected and tested for CDV using Real-time RT-PCR targeting N gene and conventional RT-PCR targeting partial H and N genes. In real time RT-PCR 24 samples were found positive while only 17 were positive by conventional RT-PCR.