Blue Eye Disease

Also known as: Blue-eye—BE—Blue eye syndrome—Porcine paramyxovirus blue eye disease—PPBED.

Introduction

Blue eye disease is caused by the virus Blue-eye paramyxovirus (BEP). It casues nervous, reproductive and respiratory signs in its domestic host, the pig.

Signalment

The disease affects all age ranges of pigs and also causes reproductive disorder in the boar.

Clinical Signs

Generally pigs suffer from anorexia, weight loss, reluctance to move, dehydration, periorbital and conjunctival swelling (chemosis) and purulent/serous occular discharge and corneal opacity. The virus also causes neurological signs including tetraparesis, opisthotonus, dysmetria, proprioceptive disorders, tremors, nystagmus mydriasis, blindness, decreased or absent menace response and respiratory signs; tachypnea, dyspnea, and open mouthed breathing.

In addition the virus affects different age group and sexes in the following ways:

Piglets and Weaners: Piglet and weaners suffer from prostration, hind limb stiffness, generalised weakness, muscle facsiculations, retarded growth, depression, excitation, head pressing, circling, hyperaesthesia, abnormal behaviour/aggression and coma. In piglets the disease also causes changes in hair coat (dull/rough), enlarged distended bladder and constipation/reduction in faces or diarrhoea.

Sows The disease causes reproductive failures such as abortion, stillborths, infertility, small litters and mummification in sows.

Boar In the boar it casues male infertility, lack of libido, haemospermia, and orchitis with epidydimitis and swelling of the genitals.

Distribution

The disease is economically important to central Mexico and it's states.

References

Blue Eye Disease Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Blue Eye Disease Flashcard