ParvomiR: Monitoring of the variability of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) in Slovakia and identification of miRNA biomarkers for assessment of therapeutic efficacy

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) with its three antigenic variants (a/b/c) is a causative agent of a highly contagious disease affecting mainly unvaccinated puppies. Amino acid substitutions in VP2 protein lead to the emergence of variants capable of immune evasion. The aim of the project is the molecular characterization of CPV-2 in Slovakia, which could be responsible for vaccine failure and deaths of vaccinated individuals, whose immune status will be assessed. The reservoirs of CPV-2 are also cats and wild carnivores, which increases the risk of cross-species transmission. The project will evaluate CPV-2 prevalence in their populations. CPV-2 infection is characterized by a high mortality rate with a typically poor prognosis. The project focuses on identifying serum miRNA biomarkers as indicators of treatment dynamics and therapeutic response of canine patients. ParvomiR will contribute to obtaining a comprehensive understanding of CPV-2 epizootiology in Slovakia and improving therapeutic approaches.