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Canine distemper
Scientific classification
Order: Mononegavirales
Family: Paramyxoviridae
Genus: Morbillivirus
Species: C. distemper
Binomial name
Canine distemper


Description and significance

Canine distemper is a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family of the Mononegavirales order in the genus Morbillivirus; it is closely related to the measles virus. It is known to affect animals in the families Ailuridae, Canidae, Hyaenidae, Mephitidae, Mustelidae, Pinnipedia, Procyonidae[1]. While there is a vaccination that can prevent distemper, the highly contagious viral disease is currently untreatable and often lethal in animals have been affected by it.


The first case of canine distemper was discovered in 1905 by Henri Carré, a French veterinarian. It was originally believed to be related to the plague and Typhus and was also believed to result from several species of bacteria.[2] A vaccine was developed in 1950 that prevents the disease from affecting a treated animal, yet distemper is still prevalent since the vaccine is not accessible to all animals that are susceptible to the virus. The virus was once believed to be a cause of multiple sclerosis in humans; however, further research has invalidated this theory and Canine distemper virus has no known negative effects on humans. The domestic dog has primarily been responsible for the spread of canine distemper to wildlife, which poses a major ecological threat to several of the disposed species. The virus was a factor in the near-extinction of the black-footed ferret and may have caused the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger. The lion population in Serengeti, Tanzania experienced a 20% decline due to the disease in 1991. The virus has mutated to form “Phocine distemper virus”, which affects seals.

Cell Structure and Transmission

Canine distemper virus is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that is 150–250 nm in length and the shape ranges from spherical to pleomorphic. It is enveloped in a protein coat which is encased in a fatty envelope.[3] This fatty envelope is easily disrupted, therefore making it difficult for the virus to survive at room temperature for more than a few hours. Cold and moist conditions increase survival, and it can last for several weeks at near freezing temperatures if kept away from light. The enveloping also causes the virus to be easily inactivated by most disinfectants. For infection to occur, an intact fatty envelope is required. Therefore the virus is relatively unstable outside of the host, and virus transmission entails direct contact between animals or contact with infected body secretions that have been exposed to the environment for a short period of time. [4]

Lung lesions in an African wild dog with canine distemper


Transmission of is mainly achieved through direct contact with an infected animals' bodily fluids, making the virus highly communicable and extremely contagious. Canine distemper virus spreads primarily through aerosol droplet secretions from infected animals, which enters through the respiratory system. Viral shedding occurs approximately 7 days after infection. A viremia causes the spread of the virus in the animal and the infection of all lymphatic tissues, after which the virus spreads to the respiratory system, the GI, the urogenital epithelium the central nervous system and the optic nerves, which all become infected and where the virus begins to rapidly reproduce. The intensity of viremia and spread of the virus to other tissues is determined by the level of humoral immunity in the host animal during this period. Once infection occurs throughout the tissues of the body, disease follows. The symptoms of the secondary disease phase include pustular dermatitis and hyperkeratosis of the nose and foot pads and the most life-threatening stage of infection is coupled by neurological disorders, including encephalitis associated with myoclonus, seizures, tremors, imbalance, ataxia, and limb weakness. Encephalomyelitis may occur during this time, decreasing the host’s chances of survival. [5].


The genome of Morbilliviruses is composed of a single non-segmented strand of negative-sense RNA which is 15-19 kilobases long and contains 6-10 genes. The genes are separated by repeated sequences, a polyadenylation (termination) signal at the end of the gene, the intergenic sequence GAA, which is followed by a translation start signal at the beginning of the next gene. Extracistronic regions contain a 3’ leader sequence that is 50 nucleotides long, which functions as a transcriptional promoter and a 5’ trailer sequence that is 50-161 nucleotides long. The intergenomic areas between each gene are three nucleotides long. The 5' terminal of the negative-sense strand does not include a cap or a covalently attached terminal protein. Each gene includes transcription start and stop signals that are transcribed. Gene sequence within the genome is conserved due to transcriptional polarity, where greater amounts of genes towards the 3’ end of the genome are transcribed compared to those closer to the 5’ end, which helps regulate transcription. [6]


All replication takes place within the cytoplasm of the host. The virus attaches itself to specific receptors on the surface of the host’s cell membrane and it enters the host cells by fusing its viral envelope to the host’s plasma membrane. The environment must have a neutral pH in order for this to occur. The genome is then transcribed from the 3' end. The negative-sense RNA is transcribed into singular mRNAs and also a positive-sense RNA template, which is then used to create negative-sense RNAs. Short, conserved transcription initiation and termination signals neighboring each transcriptional element help to guide transcription. The 5' ends of mRNAs are capped while the 3' ends of mRNAs have a poly A tract, which is produced by the constant repetition of the termination site. Infected cells create a great excess of nucleocapsids and these in turn form cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and also often forms syncytia. During translation, the viral genome is replicated in the cytoplasm, and the parental genome is not used as a template. Replication is free of the host cell’s nuclear functions. Assembly then occurs independently and the virus capsid matures naturally by budding through the membrane of the host cell; the host’s membrane, in turn, forms the budding virus’ membranes. [7]

Current Research

1) Disease manifestations of Canine distemper virus infection in ferrets are modulated by vitamin A status.[8]

The close relationship between Canine distemper virus and the Measles virus allows for studies to be done on one virus to find possible cures and preventions for the other. The Measles virus is the cause of half a million childhood deaths each year, and Vitamin A supplements allow for the reduction of these measles related illnesses and deaths. In one study, ferrets were used to study how vitamin A could be used against C. distemper (CDV). Ferrets from two control groups were infected with CDV, with one group being vitamin A-replete and the other vitamin A-depleted. Some of the ferrets were given vitamin A supplements. Ferrets that were given the vitamin A supplements exhibited only a mild rash, while those that were not experienced numerous ailments, including fever, rash and diarrhea. The supplement did not negatively affect the health of the ferrets and caused a doubling of the vitamin A concentrations in the serum and the live. The deficiency of vitamin A caused several ailments, including anorexia, diarrhea, behavioral abnormalities, and ultimately death, regardless of whether or not the ferret was infected with CDV. However, the ferrets that did receive the vitamin A supplements had a full recovery from CDV infection. These results mirror observations of vitamin A therapy against measles in humans, demonstrating that the study of the antiviral mechanism of vitamin A can be correlated with CDV.

2)In vitro efficacy of Ribavirin against Canine distemper virus.[9]

The anti-viral drug Ribavirin (RIB) has been used as an inhibitor on the replication of Measles virus. RIB's antiviral activity against CDV in cell structures was determined. PCR was used to measure the viral RNA in cells that were infected by CDV and also to determine the hindering effects of RIB. After virus adsorption, when RIB was added, the accumulation of CDV RNA decreased. RIB was highly effective in it's prevention of CDV replication at lower concentrations, mirroring the valuse displayed by highly susceptible strains of MV. Error catastrophe is one of the methods that RIB takes against CDB, as it triggers viral extinction. The conclusion is that RIB may eventually be an effective method of treating CDV in animals.

3.Distinct cell tropism of canine distemper virus strains to adult olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells in vitro.[10]

CDV can enter the brain through the infection of olfactory neurons, and this study tested whether olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) can also be infected by CDV, what their response to the virus would be. Both adult canine OECs and Schwann cells. which are closely related, were exposed to a group of attenuated and one virulent strain of CDV the results were compared to one another. 10 days after infection, there were cytopathic effects on the cells, with effects ranging from single cell necrosis to layer detachment. The percentage of infection increased and viral progenies were found in each culture. There were no significant differences found between the virulent and attenuated CDV strains. There were significant molecular differences between OECs and Schwann cells, noted by the strain-specific cell tropism. However, it is still unknown whether the differences are related to strain-specific distemper pathogenesis or whether it is due to the role of OEC during infection and viral spread.


  1. Creevy, Kate (March 2012). Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck Sharp & Dohme. Retrieved on 21 October 2013.
  2. Blancou, J Dog distemper: imported into Europe from South America? Hist Med Vet. 2004 ;29 (2):35-41
  3. Chen, Chen-Chih, Pei, Kurtis Jai-Chyi, Liao, Ming-Huei, Mortenson, Jack A. Canine Distemper Virus in Wild Ferret-Badgers of Taiwan J Wildl Dis 2008 44: 440-445
  4. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_distemper.html
  5. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/56700.htm&hide=1
  6. http://www.microbiologybytes.com/virology/Paramyxoviruses.html
  7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/01.048.htm
  8. Rodeheffer C, von Messling V, Milot S, Lepine F, Manges AR, Ward BJ.Disease manifestations of canine distemper virus infection in ferrets are modulated by vitamin A status.J Nutr. 2007 Aug;137(8):1916-22.
  9. Elia G, Belloli C, Cirone F, Lucente MS, Caruso M, Martella V, Decaro N, Buonavoglia C, Ormas P. In vitro efficacy of ribavirin against canine distemper virus.Antiviral Res. 2008 Feb;77(2):108-13. Epub 2007 Oct 8.
  10. Techangamsuwan S, Haas L, Rohn K, Baumgärtner W, Wewetzer K.Distinct cell tropism of canine distemper virus strains to adult olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells in vitro.Virus Res. 2009 May 8
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