Evaluating Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 Risk in Wild Carnivorans and Hunting Dogs in the Valencian Community, Eastern
Francesca Suita1, Alba Martí-Marco2, Víctor Lizana1
1Service for Analysis, Research, and Management of Wild Animals (SAIGAS), Veterinary Faculty, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, Valencia 46115, Spain, uchceu.es.
Abstract:
Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 is a highly contagious pathogen that poses a significant threat to both domestic and wild carnivorans. Despite its importance, the dynamics of viral transmission at the wildlife-domestic interface remain poorly understood. Between 2017 and 2025, 303 fecal samples from eight free-ranging mesocarnivoran species and 243 samples from hunting dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) were collected in the Valencian Community. For the dog cohort, surveys were conducted to evaluate potential risk factors for infection. All samples were screened via real-time PCR, and positive cases were characterized by sequencing key VP2 regions. P. carnivoran1 DNA was detected in 11.11% (27/243) of dogs and 2.6% (8/303) of mesocarnivorans. Among wildlife, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was the most affected (n = 3), followed by beech martens (Martes foina), Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), and a common genet (Genetta genetta). Multivariable analysis identified a strong statistical association between raw meat intake and CPV-2 positivity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, spatial analysis through relative risk (RR) maps identified distinct geographical clusters of infection, suggesting localized areas of higher environmental viral load. Sequencing revealed that all dog-derived strains clustered within the CPV-2c antigenic variant, whereas mesocarnivorans harbored predominantly feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)-like strains (n = 6), with only two individuals infected with CPV-2b. Phylogenetic analysis showed a predominance of the "Asian" lineage (324I, 370R) among hunting dogs, while wild carnivorans exhibited a more varied distribution, including European-like and Asian-related signatures (324I). These findings highlight differences in the viral strains detected across these populations, which may reflect distinct epidemiological dynamics in the region. Further surveillance is needed to better define the extent of viral circulation and the ecological drivers at the wildlife-domestic interface.
