Canine Parvovirus-2a infection in a juvenile pup: Bone marrow findings and clinical implications

Abstract

A 2 month old non descriptive pup was presented to the Emergency and Critical Care Unit (ECCU) at Madras Veterinary
College Teaching Hospital with a 4-day clinical history of bloody diarrhoea, vomition and neurological manifestations suggestive of severe systemic involvement. Haematological analysis revealed anaemia and profound leukopenia, indicative of marked
immunosuppression. Necropsy findings demonstrated extensive hemorrhagic enteritis and multi-organ pathology, including
fatty enlarged liver and epicardial pallor. Histopatholgical examination revealed hepatic fatty degeneration, myocardial fibre degeneration, and intestinal crypt cell necrosis.Bone marrow examination showed severe hypocellularity with depletion of myeloid
and erythroid cell lines that lead to leukopenia. Molecular detection and characterization of the VP2 gene confirmed infection
with the CPV-2a variant, genetically related to strains reported from India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. The study highlights the
importance of bone marrow evaluation in diagnosing and managing CPV-2 infection, and underscores the value of integrating
molecular and pathological findings for accurate diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes.