Parvovirus infections are among the deadly viral diseases in dogs and sick puppies. Young dogs are more prone to the virus. Antioxidants are important components of the defense system which prevent cell damage by neutralizing reactive oxygen species. Malondialdehyde ,enzymatic and none enzymatic antioxidants are reliable and commonly used marker of oxidative stress. The present study was performed to determine the role of oxidative stress markers in canine Parvovirus disease. Thirty Cane Corso male dogs with an average age of 3-6 months were enrolled in this study out of which 15 animals were spontaneously infected with the Parvovirus and the other 15 were healthy. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde, vitamin D and vitamin E levels were measured by standard methods. The increase in malondialdehyde in infected dogs demonstrates that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of the Parvovirus. In spite of reduction in vitamin D, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, the markedly elevation in TAC and catalase activity are indicative of a good response by the enzymatic antioxidant system against oxidative stress induced by the Parvovirus. In conclusion, oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Parvovirus. Thus, strengthening the antioxidant system can be effective in the prevention and treatment of canine Parvovirus infection.
