Encephalomyocarditis Virus Flashcards

Question	Answer		Article
What disease does the Encephalomyocarditis virus cause in pigs and which systems can it affect?	Encephalomyocarditis. The disease affects the nervous, reproductive, respiratory and circulatory system of pigs.		Link to Article
What type of virus is Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV)?	A single stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus.		Link to Article
What are the properties of EMCV?	It is stable over a wide range of pH The virus is ether-resistant It can be inactivated at 60°C for 30 minutes (although some are more thermally stabile)		Link to Article
Can EMCV infect humans?	Antibodies for EMCV have been found in humans but there are no reports that the virus causes human heart disease.		Link to Article
What are the hosts for (EMCV)?	The domestic host for this virus is the pig and it is the most susceptible to EMCV infection. Other hosts include: Chimpanzees Monkeys Elephants Lions Squirrels Mongooses Racoons		Link to Article
What are the clinical signs associated with EMCV?	The disease causes: High mortality in young pigs Reproductive failures in breeding females Piglets suffer from myocarditis, encephalitis and sudden death due to myocardial failure Vomiting and regurgitation Anorexia, pyrexia, fasciculations, tachypnea, dyspnea, and open mouth breathing Neurological signs include: Ataxia, generalised weakness, tetraparesis, inability to stand, tremor, dysmetria, lethargy and depression. Pregnant sows that become infected can suffer from infertility, mummified fetus, abortions, still births, small litter and weak new born.		Link to Article
How is the virus believed to be spread?	Through rodents (major reservoir of the disease) - infecting pigs directly or through diseased carcasses and contaminated feeds or water supplies.		Link to Article
What is the distribution of EMCV?	Worldwide; cases were first reported in Central America, Florida and Australia.		Link to Article
How can EMCV be diagnosed?	A definitive diagnosis can be confirmed by virus isolation from infected heart tissue from pigs that have died in the acute phase of the disease. Detection of antibody specific to EMCV from still born piglets has been used to confirm foetal infection.		Link to Article
What pathology can be found on postmortem?	Cardiomegaly Myocardial lesions with yellow or white necrotic foci, usually on the epicardium of the right ventricle. Infected foetuses can grossly vary depending on the stage of pregnancy and infection. Foetuses can be haemorrhagic, oedematous or apparently normal. Acutely affected pigs may not show any gross lesions on post mortem.		Link to Article
What histopathological findings can be seen with EMCV?	Within heart tissue: Myocarditis Focal or diffuse accumulation of mononuclear cells Vascular congestion and oedema Degeneration of the myocardial fibres with necrosis and occasional mineralization of necrotic heart muscle Within brain tissue: Congestion Meningitis Perivascular infiltration (mononuclear cells) Neuronal degeneration Within foetuses: Nonsuppurative encephalitis Myocarditis		Link to Article
What treatment is there for encephalomyocarditis?	There is no specific treatment. Mortality levels in at risk pigs can be reduced by avoiding stress or excitation.		Link to Article
How can EMCV be controlled?	Inactivated vaccine (intramuscularly) in the USA. Control rodent populations on farm to prevent the spread of disease and contamination of feeds or water supply Good husbandry and hygiene protocols should be followed Regular use of disinfectants		Link to Article