Evaluation of the innate immune response in pups during canine parvovirus type 1 infection.

In two pups (A and B) naturally infected with canine parvovirus type 1 (CPV1) phagocytic responses were evaluated over a period of two weeks (day 0 = T0; day 3 = T1; day 7 = T2; day 14 = T3). CPV1 infection led to a marked reduction of monocyte (MO) phagocytosis in both pups. Also MO killing was impaired and in pup B this function was totally absent. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) phagocytosis values of both pups fluctuated within normal ranges, as well as PMN killing of pup A. In pup B, killing exerted by PMN was absent at T0, then increased but again dropped below normal ranges at T3. The described alterations of phagocytic functions may be regarded as possible viral mechanisms of immune evasion.