Canine influenza virus H3N2 (CIV H3N2)

Canine influenza virus H3N2 is an avian-origin influenza A virus subtype that has adapted to infect and spread efficiently among dogs. It is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with eight gene segments, belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. Since its identification, H3N2 CIV has evolved to recognize both avian-type (α2,3-linked sialic acid) and human-type (α2,6-linked sialic acid) receptors, increasing its zoonotic potential. The virus has undergone antigenic evolution and acquired mutations conferring greater replication efficiency, acid stability, and transmissibility in mammalian hosts including ferrets, a recognized model for human influenza transmissibility. There are currently no classical "targets" as in small-molecule drug discovery, as CIV H3N2 is itself a virus and not a receptor, enzyme, or protein in a host organism. Instead, the primary strategies for intervention are vaccination or use of broad-spectrum antivirals targeting influenza neuraminidase or other viral proteins. CIV H3N2 poses an emerging risk to both animal and public health due to its rapid evolution and demonstrated potential for cross-species transmission, with at least one confirmed human infection.

Other names

H3N2 canine influenza virusH3N2 CIVcanine influenza virus H3N2 subtypeA/canine/H3N2

Neuraminidase inhibitors: block release of progeny virions by inhibiting viral neuraminidase (oseltamivir, zanamivir) M2 ion channel inhibitors (amantadine, rimantadine): block viral uncoating (often ineffective due to resistance) Vaccines: induce neutralizing antibodies targeting hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA)