Fatal canine parvovirus type 2a and 2c infections in wild Chinese
pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla ) in southern China
Abstract
The Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla) is a critically
endangered scale-covered mammal belonging to the order Pholidota. Wild
pangolins are notably susceptible to pathogen infection and are
typically characterized by impoverished health. However, little is
currently known regarding the viruses prevalent among pangolins. In this
study, we report the detection of two subtypes of canine parvovirus type
2 (CPV-2), namely, CPV-2a and CPV-2c, both of which caused severe
diarrheal disease in two post-rescue pangolins with fatal consequences.
As in CPV-2-infected dogs, intensive lesion of the mucosal layer of the
small intestines is a prominent feature in infected pangolins.
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the VP2 viral protein sequences
isolated from one pangolin were classified into the CPV-2c subclade,
with 99.8% identities to a CPV-2c strain (MN832850) isolated from a
Taiwanese pangolin found in Taiwan Province. In contrast, VP2 sequences
obtained from the second pangolin were classified into the CPV-2a
subclade, with 99.8% identities to a CPV-2a strain (KY386858) isolated
from southern China. In this study, we thus confirmed the infection of
pangolins with CPV-2c in mainland China and demonstrate that CPV-2a can
also infect pangolins. Based on these findings, we recommend that
further investigations should be conducted to establish the interspecies
transmission of these viruses among wild pangolins, wild carnivores, and
stray dogs.