Background:
Dogs in close contact with humans can serve as a source of potentially dangerous reassortant influenza viruses with zoonotic potential. The dog's body can serve as a vessel for the emergence of new influenza viruses. These new viruses can become a source of infection for other animals and humans. The potential for zoonotic transmission of influenza viruses from dogs to humans poses a public health risk.
Aim:
Study of the circulation of influenza viruses in the dog population in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Methods:
Biosamples (oropharyngeal swabs, blood serum) from dogs were collected from veterinary clinics in Almaty in 2023-2024. Samples were screened using RT-PCR, HI assay and ELISA.
Results:
RT-PCR analysis of 355 nasopharyngeal swabs showed the presence of influenza A virus in 32 samples (9.01% of the total number of samples analyzed). When subtyping IAV H1N1 RNA was detected in 19 swabs (5.35%). IAV subtype could not be determined in 13 PCR-positive samples (3.66%). The genetic material of IAV H3N2, H5, H7, H9, as well as coronavirus, bocavirus and adenovirus has not been identified. In a serological analysis of 180 blood sera using ELISA, antibodies to IAV were detected in 5.56% (n=10). The results of the HI assay showed the presence of antihemagglutinins to A/H1N1pdm in 6.11% (11 samples), to A/H3N2 in 9.44% (17 samples), and no antibodies to IAV H5, H7 and type B were detected.
Conclusion:
There is no information about human infection with any canine influenza virus. However, many cases of infection of dogs with human IAVs H1N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 have been described. When dogs are co-infected with different IAVs, new recombinant IAVs may emerge that can infect humans and other animals. Therefore, ongoing global surveillance of animal populations is necessary to monitor the evolution and circulation of viruses dangerous to public health. This is also important for timely preparation for the emergence of a new zoonotic influenza virus that has pandemic potential for humans.
Key words: Canine influenza, Monitoring, Reassortment, Epizootology, Zoonotic infection
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