A caprine pneumonia outbreak associated with caprine herpesvirus and Pasteurella haemolytica respiratory infections

In a field disease outbreak, 60 female goats died over a 2-3 week period. Necropsies of seven of these does revealed that six had an acute exudative necrotising broncho-pneumonia, and moderate to high numbers of Pasteurella haemolytica were isolated from their lungs. Caprine herpesvirus, identified as Bovid herpesvirus type 6, was isolated from the lungs of two of these does, including one with pneumonia, and from nasal swabs of in-contact goats. Clinical disease was only observed in does, and deaths began 3 weeks after the introduction of a mob of goat hoggets from another farm.     

Experimental respiratory infection of goats with caprine herpesvirus and Pasteurella haemolytica

Groups of six male goats were inoculated intratracheally and intranasally with either caprine herpesvirus followed 6 days later by Pasteurella haemolytica, canine herpesvirus alone or P. haemolytica alone. Pneumonic lesions were observed in five of the six goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus followed by P. haemolytica and in three of the six goats inoculated with P. haemolytica alone, but were not observed in goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone or in non-infected controls. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from seven of eight lungs with pneumonia, but only from one of sixteen lungs without pneumonia. The lesions ranged from fatal acute exudative necrotising pneumonia to predominantly proliferative pneumonia. Half of the caprine herpesvirus-inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all caprine herpesvirus- inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all canine herpesvirus-inoculated goats and from the lungs of three goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone. The experimental inoculations demonstrated that P. haemolytica alone can produce pneumonia in goats. In addition, the study showed that caprine herpesvirus readily proliferates in the upper respiratory tract and lungs of goats but the role of caprine herpesvirus in the aetiology of pneumonia remains uncertain.     

Vulvovaginitis of goats due to a herpesvirus

Two concurrent outbreaks of genital disease in goats were associated with infection by a herpesvirus that was isolated from vulval and vaginal lesions of affected does. Serum neutralising antibody to the virus was present both in goats with the clinical disease and some unaffected goats. Of 19 goat herds examined only 4 had serum neutralising antibody positive goats with low (5%) to high (60%) incidence of infection. The virus isolate was characterised as a herpesvirus on its physico-chemical and morphological features. It contained DNA and was inactivated at low pH and by treatment with lipid solvents and trypsin. The virus particles were icosahedral, consisting of a nucleocapsid surrounded by an envelope membrane and measured approximately 150 nm in diameter. The virus was serologically related to a New Zealand isolate of caprine herpesvirus (NZ-CpHV), associated with similar genital disease, and was distinct from bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1) showing a one way neutralisation pattern.     

An outbreak of vulvovaginitis in goats caused by a caprine herpesvirus

A caprine herpesvirus related to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus but immunologically distinct from that virus was isolated from an outbreak of vulvovaginitis in a herd of Saanen goats. The morbidity rate was 52.5%, with 21 of 40 does showing clinical signs. The lesions healed rapidly with only two goats showing lesions two weeks after the disease was first detected. No effect on subsequent reproductive performance was observed. The mode of transmission of the virus was believed to be venereal.     

An outbreak of vulvovaginitis in goats caused by a caprine herpesvirus

A caprine herpesvirus related to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus but immunologically distinct from that virus was isolated from an outbreak of vulvovaginitis in a herd of Saanen goats. The morbidity rate was 52.5%, with 21 of 40 does showing clinical signs. The lesions healed rapidly with only two goats showing lesions two weeks after the disease was first detected. No effect on subsequent reproductive performance was observed. The mode of transmission of the virus was believed to be venereal.     

Isolation of caprine herpesvirus 1 from a major outbreak of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis in goats

We describe an outbreak of infectious pustular vulvovaginitis caused by Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV1) in a group of approximately 200, 8 month old virgin does that were imported to Victoria from New Zealand. CpHV1 was isolated in cell cultures from vaginal swabs from three of three affected does but not from two bucks that had been with the does. The identity of the virus as a herpesvirus was confirmed by negative stain electron microscopy. Restriction endonuclease DNA fingerprint analysis showed that the DNA fingerprints were similar, but not identical, to previously described CpHV1 isolates made in New Zealand, New South Wales, and in other parts of the world. Acute and convalescent phase sera from selected does supported the diagnosis of CpHV1 infection. It is most likely that the disease was initiated by reactivation of latent virus in at least one of four bucks that served the does, since each was positive for CpHV neutralising antibody when first tested. This is the first report of CpHV infectious pustular vulvovaginitis in goats in Victoria and to our knowledge appears to be one of the largest outbreaks recorded anywhere.     

Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of ruminant herpesviruses including bovine, buffalo and caprine herpesviruses 1 and bovine encephalitis herpesvirus

Restriction endonuclease DNA fingerprints of herpesviruses isolated from 3 unrelated epidemics of bovine encephalitis are similar to each other and totally different from bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1). Herpesviruses, antigenically related to BHV1, isolated from goats and buffalo have distinct DNA fingerprints. We propose that bovine encephalitis herpesvirus is prototypic of a new bovine herpesvirus type and that alpha herpes viruses from individual ruminant species are species specific.     

Pathogenicity of a caprine herpesvirus.

A herpesvirus isolated from neonatal Angora kids (Capra hircus) with a relatively severe generalized infection was shown to be infective for adult goats as well as for kids. However, the virus lacked pathogenicity for either lambs or calves. Although a nonreciprocating serologic overlap exists between the caprine virus and the antibody to bovine herpesvirus (BHV-1), results of cross immunity tests in calves indicated that the 2 viruses are immunologically distinct. On the basis of these findings, the caprine virus seems to be a specific pathogen of goats. Accordingly, the designation of Herpesvirus caprae or caprine herpesvirus 1 seems taxonomically appropriate.     

Isolation of caprine herpesvirus type 1 in Spain

Two strains of caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CpHV-1) were isolated after the experimental reactivation of two seropositive goats in Spain. Viral DNA from these isolates was compared with DNA from bovine herpesvirus type 1 and CpHV-1 reference strains by restriction endonuclease analysis. The two Spanish isolates were closely related but could easily be distinguished from each other and from the reference strains.     

The Effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 Infection on Phagocytosis Efficiency of Caprine Broncho‐Alveolar Macrophages

An experiment was designed to study the in vivo effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 infection on the phagocytosis activity of caprine broncho‐alveolar macrophages and the extent of pneumonic lesions. Twelve healthy local Kacang goats, about 7 months of age, were divided into two groups of six. Goats in group 1 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml inoculum containing 2.8 × 10⁹ colony‐forming units (CFU)/ml of Staphylococcus aureus. Goats in group 2 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml of inoculum containing 9.5 × 10⁸ CFU/ml of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 isolated earlier from pneumonic lungs of goat. At intervals of 3 and 7 days post‐challenge five goats from each group were killed and the lungs were washed with sterile phosphate‐buffered saline. Smears were prepared from the lung washing fluid and the number of macrophages with phagocytic activity was determined. At day 3 post‐infection, goats of both groups showed a similar pattern of pneumonic lesion. The lung washing fluid of goats in group 2 was found to contain numerous neutrophils and macrophages. Goats in group 2 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher extent of lung lesions than group 1. Similarly, the average extent of lung lesions was significantly (P < 0.05) more severe in group 2 at day 7 post‐infection. The lung washing fluid contained mostly macrophages. The phagocytic activity following S. aureus infection was more efficient and significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with infection by P. haemolytica A2. There were weak correlations between the extent of pneumonic lesion and the phagocytic activity. Thus, goats with poor phagocytic activity were likely to develop more extensive lung lesions.     

Experimental transmission of Pasteurella multocida 6:B in goats

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) is an acute disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by Pasteurella multocida 6:B. Outbreaks of the disease have been closely associated with carrier animals that transmit the organism to susceptible animals during stressful condition. This study was conducted to determine whether goats exposed intranasally to P. multocida 6:B can transmit the organism to contact goats. Thirty-six healthy local Katjang goats were divided into four groups and goats of groups 1 and 3 were each inoculated intranasally with a 1-ml inoculum that contained 1 x 10(9) CFU/ml of live P. multocida 6:B. Following the exposure, all goats of groups 3 and 4 were injected with dexamethasone at the rate of 1 mg/kg for three consecutive days. At the end of the dexamethasone treatment, goats of groups 1 and 2 were commingled but kept separate from goats of groups 3 and 4, which were commingled in another pen. Three surviving goats from each group were killed on days 7, 14 and 21 post-exposure for postmortem examination. Naso-pharyngeal mucus and heart blood were collected on swabs. Tissues from lungs, lymph nodes and tonsils were collected for bacteriological isolation and identification. Only one goat of group 3 died 6 days post-exposure showing clinical signs and lesions typical of HS. Other goats showed mild signs of upper respiratory tract infection. Goats of all groups developed acute mild pneumonic lesions, however, those treated with dexamethasone had significantly (P < 0.05) more extensive lesion scoring based on the lesion scoring system. P. multocida 6:B was isolated from the nasal mucosa and lung lesions of exposed and contact goats not treated with dexamethasone. Exposed and contact goats treated with dexamethasone carried the organism for 21 days. P. multocida isolation from heart blood was made only from exposed and contact goats treated with dexamethasone. P. multocida was isolated from the lymph node of the goat that died during the experiment.     

Characterization of bovine herpesviruses isolated from six sheep and four goats by restriction endonuclease analysis and radioimmunoprecipitation

Viral DNA from 10 herpesviruses isolated from 6 sheep and 4 goats were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis with respect to their relatedness to one another; to bovine herpesvirus type 6 (BHV-6), also known as caprine herpesvirus; and to 2 strains of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), known as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis virus (IPVV). Viral proteins from the isolates were examined by radioimmunoprecipitation with anti-BHV-1/IBRV gnotobiotic calf (bovine) serum, anti-BHV-1/IBRV bovine hyperimmune serum, and anti-BHV-6 rabbit serum to evaluate their antigenic relatedness to each other. The goat isolates were obtained from animals with various disease conditions including respiratory tract disorders, vulvovaginitis, and wart-like lesions on the eyelid. The other isolates were from domestic sheep and came from aborted fetuses or from sheep with fatal pneumonia or proliferative lesions around lips and nose. All of the goats and 4 of the sheep from which the viral isolates were obtained had comingled with cattle. Purified DNA from each of the 10 field isolates and from BHV-1/IBRV, BHV-1/IPVV, and BHV-6 caprine herpesvirus was cleaved with restriction endonuclease Pst I. Five of 6 sheep isolates and 3 of 4 goat isolates yielded unique restriction patterns, ie, patterns that differed from each other by one or more bands. Sheep isolate DNA patterns were different from goat isolate patterns, and all restriction endonuclease analysis patterns were similar to the pattern for BHV-1/IBRV, but different from that for BHV-1/IPVV or for BHV-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus infection of goats in South Australia

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection of dairy goats was shown by virus isolation and serology to be widespread in South Australia. CAEV was isolated at necropsy from 24 of 27 dairy goats with swollen joints from 13 herds, and from 9 of 30 liver dairy goats in 7 herds. Virus was isolated most frequently from synovial membranes, and occasionally from mammary glands, mammary lymph nodes, choroid plexus, lungs, spleen, bone marrow, salivary glands, leucocytes, synovial fluid and milk. Antibody to CAEV was detected in the serum of 13 of 17 of the necropsied goats tested in a single-line gel diffusion test, and in another 3 retested with a modified double-line technique. Serum antibody was also demonstrated in 61 of 77 dairy goat herds, many with histories of arthritis. In 1984 to 1986 the annual number of serologically positive serums and proportions of the numbers tested were 134 (40%), 121 (45%) and 42 (18%), respectively. CAEV was isolated from leucocytes of 8 live goats in 6 of these herds. In fibre goats antibody was detected in the serum of 25 Angora and 19 crossbreds (0.1%) from the 33,279 Angora, 1,705 Cashmere, 8,715 crossbred and 904 feral goats tested.     

Experimental infection of goats at different stages of pregnancy with caprine herpesvirus 1

Three goats from a group of five caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV.1) seronegative pregnant goats were inoculated intranasally with a virulent BA.1 strain of CpHV.1. Goat n.1 was infected on day 45 of pregnancy, goat n.2 on day 92 and goat n.3 on day 127. Each of the three goats produced a single foetus 10-60 days after infection. Foetus n.1 was never found and so it could not be examined for virological findings. Goat n.2 delivered at term of gestation and CpHV.1 was detected by PCR and isolated from most of the foetal organs. Foetus n.3 was partially autolysed and the virus was only detected by PCR but not isolated from foetal organs. The results confirm the damaging effect of CpHV.1 infection on pregnancy, the difficulty in diagnosing the CpHV.1 induced abortion, and the importance developing appropriate prophylactic programmes.     

Serologic and reproductive findings after a herpesvirus-1 abortion storm in goats

CASE DESCRIPTION: An abortion storm occurred in a goat herd, resulting in 75 aborted kids and 1 neonatal death from December 2004 to February 2005. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Aborted fetuses ranged from being premature to past term. Laboratory findings in 4 of 5 aborted fetuses were consistent with herpesvirus abortion. A virus that yielded positive results with a fluorescent antibody test for bovine herpesvirus-1 was isolated and identified as caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) via DNA sequence analysis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Many does that aborted were rebred for kidding in late summer. Most of the young wethers born in 2005 were sold; however, all of the young does were kept for breeding in fall. In November 2005, all 241 goats in the herd were tested for antibodies against CpHV-1 to identify goats that had seroconverted during the outbreak. No complications attributable to CpHV-1 were identified during kidding in 2006. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of serologic findings, infection with CpHV-1 was not associated with reduced reproductive success in the subsequent breeding.     

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Beetal goats

Seroprevalence, clinical findings, and lesions of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Beetal goats were recorded during an outbreak. The overall seroprevalence of CCPP was 32.50%. Confirmation of Mycoplasma mycoides in serum was carried out using counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) technique. The highest CIE-positive cases were recorded in the older goats (51.72%) as compared to young ones. Nasal swabs collected from 39 goats showing respiratory signs were found positive for M. mycoides. The most consistent clinical findings were mild to severe cough, purulent nasal secretion, emaciation, dyspnea, increased respiration rate, and pyrexia. Mortality due to CCPP was 9.17%. Consolidation of lungs exhibited the highest frequency (100%), followed by alveolar exudation (90.90%) and pleural adhesion (72.72%). Among the microscopic lesions, septal peribronchiolar fibrosis exhibited the highest frequency (81.81%), followed by fibrinous pleuritis (63.63%) and peribronchiolar cuffing of mononuclear cells (54.54%) in lungs. From these results, it was concluded that CCPP under subtropical conditions has high prevalence in Beetal goats and leads to significant mortality.     

An Outbreak of Herpesvirus Myeloencephalitis in Vaccinated Horses

In the foaling season of 1977, five vaccinated horses in a Standardbred breeding stable were affected with herpesvirus myeloencephalitis. Respiratory and abortigenic forms also occurred in other individuals on the premises. Equine herpesvirus type 1 was isolated from the brain of one case of myeloencephalitis and from lungs of two aborted fetuses. Twelve of 16 horses demonstrated fourfold or greater increases in titres to equine herpesvirus type 1.     

Microorganisms associated with abscesses of sheep and goats in the south of Iran

A total of 86 abscesses (45 and 41) abscesses of sheep and goats, respectively) were examined for their causal agents; 44 of these abscesses were located subcutaneously, and the remaining 42 were in lungs, livers, intestines, and udders. A total of 23 different types of microorganisms were isolated from 78 abscesses; bacteria were not detected in the remaining eight abscesses. Microorganisms isolated were: species of the genera Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus and Pasteurella, Escherichia coli, and other gram-negative rods. Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Eubacterium tortuosum were isolated in pure culture from one abscess each in goats. Two to four different microorganisms were associated with 25 of the 86 abscesses. It was determined that 11 isolates of Corynebacterium pyogenes, 2 isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica, 1 of P multocida, and 1 of C pseudotuberculosis were lethal to mice. Two of the C pyogenes isolates from subcutaneous spreading abscesses of goats were pathogenic for rabbits; these two isolates produced similar suppurative inflammation in goats experimentally, but did not cause death. As determined by experimental inoculation, goats were more susceptible than sheep to the two isolates. In nature, subcutaneous abscesses of goats associated with C pyogenes were of a more diffusive type which resulted in generalization of the infection and death of the animals. Postmortem examination of ten goats dying of field infection showed the presence of larvae of the warble-fly Przhevalskiana silenus at the site of infection.     

A bovine herpesvirus (BHV-4) as passenger virus in ethmoidal tumours in Indian cattle

A herpesvirus was isolated from tumours of the ethmoidal mucosa in two of three head of cattle in the State of Kerala, India. The virus designated M40 was cytopathic for a variety of cultured bovine and porcine cells and it did not kill suckling mice or chicken embryos. Sera from tumour-bearing cattle and goats reacted with the M40 virus. Immunofluorescence tests with FITC-conjugated IgG from a bovine monospecific antiserum to bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) stained the M40 virus specific antigen in infected cells. Experimental infection of goats with the M40 virus did not result in development of tumours. This virus is therefore considered to represent a "passenger" virus. A great similarity was found between restriction patterns of DNAs extracted from M40 virus and the strain 66-P-347, a reference strain of the BHV-4 group.     

Progressive interstitial pneumonia in goats

Seven Anglo-Nubian goats, 5 months to 3 1/2 years old, developed clinical signs of increased respiratory rate, weight loss and exercise intolerance. Post-mortem examination of the goats revealed extensive consolidation of the lungs involving all lobes. Lesions, consisting of peribronchial and perivascular lymphoid cuffing, accumulations of homogeneous eosinophilic material in alveolar spaces, alveolar epithelialisation and thickening of alveolar septa as a result of lymphocytic infiltration, were detected histologically. A syncytial forming virus was consistently isolated from affected animals in explant cultures of lung, synovial membrane and choroid plexus. This agent had similar growth characteristics to the caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) virus and the possible relationship between the respiratory disease and the diseases caused by the CAE virus is discussed.