Multiplex amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) provides convenient method for differentiation of canine parvovirus vaccine and field strains.

Vaccination with canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) modified live attenuated vaccine remains an effective control strategy for preventing parvovirus induced enteritis in dogs. Virus shedding is a common phenomenon few days after vaccination, possessing a diagnostic dilemma for accurate differentiation of CPV-2 vaccine and wild type field strains. Though several molecular approaches are available for differentiation, the present study focuses on a simple, rapid, cost-effective differentiating infected from vaccinated animals strategy employing ARMS-PCR for differentiation of CPV-2 vaccine and wild type field strains. The ARMS-PCR was initially validated using positive controls of recombinant plasmids, further used for screening six commercial CPV-2 vaccines and 24 archived CPV-2 positive field samples as well as to check fecal shedding of vaccine virus for 10 days post-vaccination in three vaccinated dogs. Sequencing of randomly selected CPV-2 commercial vaccine strains and archived field samples confirmed authenticity of the developed ARMS-PCR assay.