Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus (Morbillivirus canis) in Wild Foxes and Badgers from Northern Italy in 2021-2026.
- 1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
- 2Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
- 3Centro Recupero Animali Selvatici di Piacenza-Piacenza Wildlife Rescue Center, 29029 Niviano, Italy.
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious multisystemic pathogen posing severe threats to wild carnivores and domestic animals. To investigate CDV circulation and lineage diversity in Piacenza Province, Northern Italy, wildlife surveillance was conducted under the Regional Wildlife Monitoring Plan between 2021 and June 2026. Forty-three wild carnivores-comprising red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), European badgers (Meles meles), wolves (Canis lupus), stone martens (Martes foina), and one jackal (Canis aureus)-were evaluated by necropsy, histopathology and molecular assays (RT-qPCR/RT-PCR). Overall, 12 animals (27.9%, 95% CI: 15.3-43.7; six foxes and six badgers) were confirmed to be CDV-positive. No positivity was found before 2024. Positive animals displayed characteristic lesions, including hemorrhagic enteritis, pulmonary hepatization, and footpad hyperkeratosis. Sequencing of the hemagglutinin (H) gene of the four complete H genes obtained revealed that they belonged to clade A of the European/South American 1 lineage, showing the highest nucleotide identity with Alpine CDV strains from Switzerland and Northern Italy. These results confirm the recent circulation of CDV amongst foxes and badgers in Piacenza. Continuous molecular monitoring and integrated cross-border surveillance remain essential for the effective management of transmission at the interface between wildlife and domestic animals.
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BibTeX
@article{filippi2026detection,
title = {{Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus (Morbillivirus canis) in Wild Foxes and Badgers from Northern Italy in 2021-2026.}},
author = {Anita Filippi and Stefania Lauzi and Chiara Garbarino and Alessandro Reggiani and Riccardo Rossi and Fabiana Ferrari and Elisa Massella and Andrea Luppi and Annalisa Santi and Ana Moreno and Anna Marelli and Elena Carra},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ani16203217},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939148},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus (Morbillivirus canis) in Wild Foxes and Badgers from Northern Italy in 2021-2026.
AU - Anita Filippi
AU - Stefania Lauzi
AU - Chiara Garbarino
AU - Alessandro Reggiani
AU - Riccardo Rossi
AU - Fabiana Ferrari
AU - Elisa Massella
AU - Andrea Luppi
AU - Annalisa Santi
AU - Ana Moreno
AU - Anna Marelli
AU - Elena Carra
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
DO - 10.3390/ani16203217
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939148
AB - Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious multisystemic pathogen posing severe threats to wild carnivores and domestic animals. To investigate CDV circulation and lineage diversity in Piacenza Province, Northern Italy, wildlife surveillance was conducted under the Regional Wildlife Monitoring Plan between 2021 and June 2026. Forty-three wild carnivores-comprising red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), European badgers (Meles meles), wolves (Canis lupus), stone martens (Martes foina), and one jackal (Canis aureus)-were evaluated by necropsy, histopathology and molecular assays (RT-qPCR/RT-PCR). Overall, 12 animals (27.9%, 95% CI: 15.3-43.7; six foxes and six badgers) were confirmed to be CDV-positive. No positivity was found before 2024. Positive animals displayed characteristic lesions, including hemorrhagic enteritis, pulmonary hepatization, and footpad hyperkeratosis. Sequencing of the hemagglutinin (H) gene of the four complete H genes obtained revealed that they belonged to clade A of the European/South American 1 lineage, showing the highest nucleotide identity with Alpine CDV strains from Switzerland and Northern Italy. These results confirm the recent circulation of CDV amongst foxes and badgers in Piacenza. Continuous molecular monitoring and integrated cross-border surveillance remain essential for the effective management of transmission at the interface between wildlife and domestic animals.
SN - 2076-2615
ER -