Abstract
Canine bufavirus (CaBuV), a novel protoparvovirus of dogs was reported
only in Italy and China, till date. It was detected from dogs with
enteric and respiratory symptoms and is distantly related to the human
bufavirus. To explore the enteric prevalence of CaBuV in India, 186
diarrheic faecal samples were collected in Telangana State between 2019
and 2020. Among the samples, 4.3% (8/186) were positive for CaBuV by
PCR. Co-infection with canine parvovirus CPV-2 was seen in 75% (6/8) of
CaBuV positive samples. The near complete genome (4292 bp) of CaBuV was
amplified and reconstructed for one isolate 407/PVNRTVU/2020. Sequence
alignment indicated 93.42–98.81% homology with the other available
CaBuV sequences; 70.88-73.39%, and 54.4-54.8% identity with human
bufavirus, and CPV-2, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that
CaBuV 407/PVNRTVU/2020 was most closely related to CaBuV Chinese
strains, together separated as Asian lineage. All Bufaviruses clustered
together in one clade; however, the bat and sea otter parvoviruses also
showed close relation with Bufaviruses. This first report of prevalence
of CaBuV in India provides a good reference, emphasizes the need for
further epidemiological surveillance of CaBuV in India and its role in
canine enteritis.