Isolation of canine adenovirus-2 from the faeces of dogs with enteric disease and its unambiguous typing by restriction endonuclease mapping.

Fifty-four faecal specimens obtained from kennelled dogs with diarrhoeal disease were used to inoculate a range of cell types in tissue culture. Particles resembling adenovirus virions were seen in three specimens and 22 stools yielded an adenovirus upon culture. Viral DNA from each isolate was digested with the restriction endonucleases Bam H1 and Pst 1. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed identical restriction patterns for all isolates. One isolate, 9228, was selected as a prototype and was compared with reference strains of canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) (Manhattan and Toronto A26/61) and CAV-1. Isolate 9228 was clearly distinct from CAV-1 but identical to both Manhattan and Toronto (A26/61) strains of CAV-2. However, restriction site polymorphism was observed in 9228 following digestion with Hpa II. Isolate 9228 was similarly compared with all commercially available vaccinal isolates of CAV-2 and was shown to be clearly distinct from these.