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Malignant Catarrhal Fever Virus (view source)
Revision as of 16:51, 24 March 2011
, 16:51, 24 March 2011no edit summary
== Introduction ==
This virus is of the herpesviridae family and the reservoir species are wildebeest and sheep, each transferring different forms of the virus. Each virus is i'''nnocuous''' to the reservoir host, but can sometimes cause a peculiar and fatal over T-cell division in dead end hosts. Dead end hosts include cows, kudu and some deer.
MCFV is endemic as a latent infection in Blue Wildebeest and the virus is excreted in large amounts in the periparturient period.
The disease is not all that common in UK, but is present. Outbreaks are usually sporadic and are often seen in animals mixing with sheep (carriers). In parts of Africa, you will see longer duration outbreaks, caused by different serotypes carried by Wildebeest. In deer, very serious outbreaks occur and this is probably due to infection with the sheep virus.
====Control====
*Wildebeest should not be stocked in zoos where possible
== Signalment ==
Latent infection in Blue Wildebeest and Sheep of all ages, breeds and sex. In dead end hosts it can affect any sex or age, but is often seen most in youngish animals around 6 months to 1 year of age.
== Clinical Signs ==
[[Image:MCF1.gif|thumb|right|125px|<small><center>Sever Oculo-nasal Discharge of MCF (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
Clinical signs in cattle are severe and include n[[Image:MCF2.gif|thumb|right|125px|<small><center>Fissures on tongue (no vesicles) in MCF (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]ecrotising lesions in the upper respiratory tract and eye: conjunctivitis and corneal oedema / opacity (keratitis or "blue eye" - characteristic feature). Pyrexia and diarrhoea with severe oculo-nasal discharge and inappetance also occurs. The animal will appear dull with ulcers on its muzzle, which exude a brown exudate. These may spread to the rest of the fac<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1300984346856_846" />e and occasionally the whole body. There may also be ulcers also on the tongue, dental pad, and cheeks that regularly become secondarily infected.Lymphocyte proliferation to viral anitgen in the blood vessels of lymph nodes, spleen lungs, liver and kidneys progresses until death occurs. The lymph nodes eventually become completely replaced by [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology#Follicles|lymphoblasts]], which is a similar pathogenesis to lymphosarcoma. There may also be vasculitis with medial necrosis of blood vessels throughout body with infiltration of walls of vessels by [[Lymphocytes - Introduction|lymphocytes]].
== Diagnosis ==
History (where and what has the animal been stocked with), Signalment (Deer, Cattle etc) and Clinical Signs are quite characteristic and will lead to a preliminary diagnosis of the disease. Definitive diagnosis can be achieved by performing PCR for detection of the herpesvirus DNA.
== Treatment and Control ==
The main control measures is to not stock Wildebeest in zoos as they are latent innocuous carries of the disease.
== References ==
Bridger, J and Russell, P (2007) Virology Study Guide, Royal Veterinary College<br>Divers, T.J. and Peek, S.F. (2008) Rebhun's diseases of dairy cattle Elsevier Health Scieneces <br>Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial <br>Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences <br>
==== Control ====
*Wildebeest should not be stocked in zoos where possible
*Sheep and deer should be housed separately
*Sheep and deer should be housed separately
[[Category:Herpesviridae]] [[Category:Cattle_Viruses]] [[Category:Oral_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Respiratory_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Oral_Cavity_-_Erosive_&_Ulcerative_Pathology]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]
[[Category:Herpesviridae]][[Category:Cattle Viruses]][[Category:Oral Diseases - Cattle]][[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cattle]]
[[Category:Oral Cavity - Erosive & Ulcerative Pathology]]
[[Category:To Do - Clinical/Viruses]]