Novel detection of Canine Parvovirus 2c in domestic cats at Baghdad city, Iraq

Canine Parvovirus 2c (CPV 2c) is an important causative agent may affect cats by fecal-oral pathway, multiplies in the intestine and excreted with the feces. This study aimed to detect CPV 2c in the fecal samples of cats at Baghdad, Iraq. For this purpose, a total of 100 cats were allocated into 50 pets (household cats) and 50 stray cats and divided into more than and less than one year of age. Deoxyribonuclic acid (DNA) was extracted and amplified to seek for VP2 gene. The results revealed that CPV 2c were positively detected 10% by PCR test in a total of 100 samples. Clinically, 12.3% were CPV 2c positive in diarrheic cats and 5.7% CPV 2c positive in non diarrheic cats detected by PCR in 100 fecal samples. According to age, the results showed 14% CPV 2c positive in cats less than one year in 50 assayed cats and only 6% CPV 2c positive in cats more than one year in 50 surveyed cats. Gender was also studied and revealed 9% CPV 2c positive in 55 assayed males cats while it was 11% in females in 45 assayed cats. A phylogenetic tree was drawn to show the source of each CPV 2c. It can be concluded that CPV 2c is detected from local cats at prevalence rate 10% and this is a novel study in Iraq.