# A Universal and Quantitative PCR Strategy for Detection and Epidemiologic Analysis of Canine Papillomavirus (CPV)

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new PCR method to detect and analyze multiple types of canine papillomavirus, improving diagnosis and understanding of its spread.

## Contribution

A novel PCR strategy with universal and genotype-specific primers that improves detection and quantification of CPV genotypes.

## Key findings

- The PCR protocol shows higher specificity and sensitivity compared to traditional methods for detecting CPV genotypes.
- The method enables detailed epidemiological analysis and monitoring of viral loads in clinical cases.
- Validation with synthetic plasmids and clinical samples confirmed the protocol's enhanced performance.

## Abstract

Canine papillomavirus (CPV) infection leads to a range of clinical manifestations from benign warts to malignant tumors in dogs, posing significant challenges in veterinary medicine due to its diverse genotypic spectrum. This study introduced broad-range and robust polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays designed to enhance the detection, identification, and quantification of multiple CPV genotypes. By using both universal and genotype-specific primers, this protocol significantly improved diagnostic specificity and sensitivity across the 23 known CPV genotypes compared to previously described ones. The primers were designed to target conserved regions across all genotypes for general detection, as well as specific regions in the predominant genotypes CPV1 and CPV2 for detailed analysis. Validation of this protocol using synthetic plasmids and clinical samples confirmed its enhanced performance over traditional methods, as demonstrated by higher specificity and sensitivity. Additionally, the application of this PCR approach in a series of epidemiological studies provided novel insights into the distribution and prevalence of CPV genotypes, highlighting its potential utility in shaping targeted vaccination and clinical management strategies. Furthermore, the quantitative capability of this established protocol allowed for monitoring viral loads in clinical cases, offering a valuable tool for assessing treatment efficacy and disease progression. Further validation through larger-scale clinical studies will be crucial to substantiate the diagnostic accuracy and epidemiological value of the assays.