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===Pathology===
===Pathology===
A haemorrhagic gross pathology of BTV infection reflects the endothelial damage responsible for disease pathogenesis. Certain lesions have been describes as "pathognomic" for bluetongue: these include necrosis of the papillary muscle in the left ventricle, and haemorrhage in pulmonary arterial wall. However, these lesions may be difficult to visualise in mild or recovering cases and may occasionnally occur in other diseases such as pulpy kidney disease or Rift Valley fever.
A haemorrhagic gross pathology of BTV infection reflects the endothelial damage responsible for disease pathogenesis<sup>1</sup>. Certain lesions have been describes as "pathognomic" for bluetongue: these include necrosis of the papillary muscle in the left ventricle, and haemorrhage in pulmonary arterial wall. However, these lesions may be difficult to visualise in mild or recovering cases and may occasionnally occur in other diseases such as pulpy kidney disease or Rift Valley fever.
In addition to these characteristic lesions, the oral mucosa is found to be hyperaemic and oedematous and occasionally cyanotic on post-mortem examination, and petechial or ecchymotic haemorrhages may be present. The ruminal pillars and omasal folds can also appear hyperaemic, and abrasions may be seen on the lips, dental pad, tongue and cheeks. These are sometimes covered by grey necrotic material. Moderate lymphomegaly and splenomegaly are apparent, and there are areas of necrosis in the skeletal musculature. Pulmonary oedema and catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is seen in some cases.
6.10 Histologically, there is damage to the endothelium of small blood vessels. This
6.10 Histologically, there is damage to the endothelium of small blood vessels. This
results in vascular occlusion and clotting. In epithelial tissues this leads to lack of
results in vascular occlusion and clotting. In epithelial tissues this leads to lack of