Genotypic characterization of type-2 variants of canine adenovirus.

Two canine adenovirus (CAV) isolates, apparently distinct from type-1 (Utrecht) and type-2 (Toronto A26/61) reference strains in their biochemical and/or immunologic properties, were submitted to DNA-restriction endonuclease analysis. Both isolates, designated IAF-81-2116 and IAF-75-95, appeared as genotypic variants of CAV-2. Isolate IAF-81-2116 was recovered from the intestine of a young pup with diarrheal disease. Seemingly, relatively small changes in the original CAV-2 DNA sequence allowed the virus to replicate at an unusual site in the dog.