Clinical signs and lesions in BTV-infected sheep likely reflect virus-mediated endothelial injury, as BTV replicates in endothelial cells causing cell injury and necrosis [21,26]. Similarly, white-tailed deer, which are highly susceptible to BT, develop consumptive coagulopathy as a consequence of BTV-induced damage to endothelial cells [18]. Consumptive coagulopathy in BTV-infected sheep and deer predisposes to the bleeding tendency that characterizes fulminant BT. Endothelial injury also is likely responsible for increased vascular permeability leading to edema in tissues such as the lung (pulmonary edema), and vascular thrombosis leads to tissue infarction. | Clinical signs and lesions in BTV-infected sheep likely reflect virus-mediated endothelial injury, as BTV replicates in endothelial cells causing cell injury and necrosis [21,26]. Similarly, white-tailed deer, which are highly susceptible to BT, develop consumptive coagulopathy as a consequence of BTV-induced damage to endothelial cells [18]. Consumptive coagulopathy in BTV-infected sheep and deer predisposes to the bleeding tendency that characterizes fulminant BT. Endothelial injury also is likely responsible for increased vascular permeability leading to edema in tissues such as the lung (pulmonary edema), and vascular thrombosis leads to tissue infarction. |