Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2)

Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2) is a non-enveloped, icosahedral virus with a linear double-stranded DNA genome, classified in the genus Mastadenovirus, family Adenoviridae[2][3][7][4]. CAdV-2 primarily infects dogs, where it targets and replicates in the respiratory epithelium, causing infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough), often as part of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex[3][1][5][9]. The virus shares serological and genomic similarity with canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1), but differs in tissue tropism and clinical manifestation—CAdV-1 causes severe hepatitis, while CAdV-2 causes respiratory illness[1][3][9]. Vaccines using live attenuated CAdV-2 are widely employed, providing immunity against both CAdV-2 and CAdV-1 infection[5][9]. CAdV-2 infection is significant in multi-dog environments; viral proteins such as those encoded by the E3 region help the virus evade host immune responses[2]. If a molecular target is required (such as a surface receptor or viral protein), a more specific viral protein from CAdV-2 (e.g., the fiber protein responsible for host cell attachment) should be considered instead of the virus as a whole[8][6].

Other names

CAV-2CAdV-2CAV type 2Infectious tracheobronchitis virus (in context of disease association)

Live attenuated CAdV-2 vaccines induce immunity and cross-protect against canine adenovirus type 1