Isolation and identification of hepatitis contagiosa canis virus (HCC virus) from an enzootic outbreak in a dog kennel.

Using a continuous cell line of canine kidney (MDCK-cell line) cells, HCC virus was isolated from 4 of 6 puppies affected in an outbreak of the disease in a dog kennel. The virus was most easily, and rapidly, isolated in primary cultures from the liver samples, but also from other organs such as the spleen and lung, although isolation from these organs could require 1 or 2 passages in addition to the primary culture. Attention is therefore drawn to the necessity of using a sufficient number of passages when organs other than the liver are available. Among the bacteria identified in addition to the virus infection, were Staphylococcus aureus, Bordetella bronchiseptica and β-hemolytic streptococci. Emphasis is made on the significance of isolation and identification of the virus in pure culture, thus enabling its various properties to be studied in detail, and possible new serotypes to be recognized.