Serologic survey for canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis in wolves in Alaska

Sera from 57 wolves (Canis lupus) in three areas of Alaska were evaluated for evidence of previous exposure to infectious canine hepatitis virus (ICHV) and canine distemper virus (CDV). Fifty-four sera (94.7%) were positive for ICHV exposure and four (7%) were positive for CDV exposure. All four CDV-reacting wolves also had titres to ICHV. The relatively common occurrence of ICHV exposure may be due to the greater resistance of ICHV to chemical and physical agents and its transmissibility via the urine of infected animals. The ICHV titres observed could indicate enzootic pathogenic ICHV, or exposure to the mildly pathogenic vaccine strain of CAV-1 through contact with the urine of domestic dogs. If CAV-1 is the original source of exposure, the titres could represent an ICHV-protected wolf population.