Molecular Detection and Partial Membrane Gene Sequence-Based Characterization of Canine Coronavirus in Diarrheal Shelter Dogs in Sivas, Türkiye

Canine coronavirus (CCoV) infection is widespread among dogs worldwide and is a known cause of gastroenteritis. It is particularly lethal in puppy populations. The virus spreads easily in environments where dogs are densely populated, such as animal shelters, and is shed through feces. This study aimed to detect the presence and molecular characteristics of canine coronavirus (CCoV) in shelter dogs with diarrhea at the Sivas Municipality Animal Shelter. Fecal samples were collected from 150 shelter dogs (127 adults and 23 puppies) showing diarrheal symptoms. RT-PCR analysis was performed using two primer sets targeting the CCoV M gene (CCV1/CCV2 and CCV1a/CCV2). The CCV1/CCV2 primer pair showed that 38% (57/150) of diarrheic dogs tested positive for CCoV. The positivity rate was 31.50% (40/127) in adult dogs and 73.91% (17/23) in puppies. Typing was performed using the second primer set (CCV1a/CCV2) based on the M gene. Of the 57 positive samples, 6 (10.53%) were CCoV Type II and 51 (89.47%) were CCoV Type I. RT-PCR sequence analysis, bioinformatics evaluation, and phylogenetic assessment were conducted. These findings indicate that CCoV Type I was responsible for the majority of coronavirus infections causing diarrhea in the studied dog population.