Non-conventional neuropathological manifestations of canine distemper virus infection in dogs

The conventional neuropathological manifestation of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection is characterized by demyelinating encephalomyelitis. Other recognized non-conventional neuropathological manifestations of distemper include acute encephalopathy, acute encephalitis, polioencephalomalacia, inclusion body polioencephalitis, and old dog encephalitis. With the use of molecular techniques, CDV has been demonstrated in types of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology that were never previously associated with CDV. Additionally, nonconventional necrotizing encephalopathies affecting the forebrain have been reported in dogs with CDV infection. Because the neuropathology of CDV infection contains many aspects, much of the current literature about distemper has been focused on conventional neuropathological aspects. For these reasons, the authors have concentrated on non-conventional neuropathological features of CDV infection for years; in this mini-review such manifestations of distemper will be addressed.