Clinical ocular findings in cows with malignant catarrhal fever: ocular disease progression and outcome in 25 cases (2007-2010)

Objective To describe the ocular clinical signs in a group of cows diagnosed with sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and to investigate a possible correlation between the severity and progression of certain typical clinical signs and disease outcome. Procedure This prospective study involved cows diagnosed with MCF between 2007 and 2010, and included cows enrolled in a larger clinical trial. Signalment of affected cows, presence and progression of ocular lesions, as well as disease outcome were recorded. Cows were divided into two groups based on the disease outcome: (1) survival and (2) nonsurvival. The degree of corneal edema at first examination was statistically compared between groups. The progression of corneal edema, uveitis and the examining ophthalmologists’ subjective assessment of disease progression between the first and last examination were also compared between groups. Results Twenty‐five cows (22 F, 3 M) of six different breeds and one mixed breed were included. Median age was 21 months (range 8–113). Ten cows survived, 13 cows were euthanized, and two died. No statistical association was identified between the degree of corneal edema at the first examination and the disease outcome. Deterioration of corneal edema was not noticed in any of the surviving animals. Anterior uveitis improved in all 10 surviving cows. Conclusions The degree of corneal edema at first examination had no prognostic value for the disease outcome. The results of this study suggest that the progression of corneal edema correlates well with disease outcome, and that nonimprovement of uveitis is a bad prognostic sign.     

Caprine herpesvirus-2 in association with naturally occurring malignant catarrhal fever in captive sika deer (Cervus nippon).

Three female sika deer from a single captive herd were submitted for postmortem examination over a 139-day period. The first 2 deer submitted were reported to have lost body mass for 20 days to 1 month before euthanasia. One of these deer had diarrhea, the other had a crusting dermatitis on the nasal planum and inner aspects of both pinnae. The third hind did not have any signs of disease before it was found seizuring and was immediately euthanatized. Microscopically, all 3 animals had a lymphocytic vasculitis typical of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), with the most severe lesions in the brain. All 3 deer were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2) and were negative for ovine herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2). Two healthy goats that were housed adjacent to the deer were also PCR positive for CpHV-2 and PCR negative for OHV-2. The CpHV-2, PCR amplicons from the hinds, and the 2 healthy goats had an identical single base polymorphism. A male sika deer that was housed with the hinds and a fawn from 1 of the hinds remained asymptomatic and were PCR negative for CpHV-2. This represents the first report of mortality with MCF-like lesions in association with CpHV-2.     

Vitamin D status in cattle with malignant catarrhal fever

The aim of the present study was to determine the vitamin D status in cattle with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Twelve cattle diagnosed as MCF and 6 healthy cattle (controls) were used in the study. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-D), 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-D), calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were determined as 96.83 pg/ml, 30.0 ng/ml, 2.19 mmol/l, 1.57 mmol/l and 15.21 pg/ml in MCF group and 42.33 pg/ml, 37.0 ng/ml, 2.43 mmol/l, 1.96 mmol/l and 36.08 pg/ml in controls, respectively. Although serum 1,25-D level in the MCF group was increased (P<0.01), serum calcium (P<0.01) and PTH (P<0.05) levels were decreased compared to the controls. The results suggest that there might be an interaction between vitamin D status and MCF.     

Chronic malignant catarrhal fever: a case in a sika deer (Cervus nippon)

A condition resembling chronic malignant catarrhal fever was seen in a 9-month-old pet sika hind (Cervus nippon). From an initial acute depression, pyrexia, and anorexia, the condition progressed to include hypopyon, keratitis, lethargy, loss of condition, sloughing of one hoof and eventually death after seven weeks. There were multiple, 5 to 8mm diameter dark-red nodules throughout the mesenteries and mediastinum, along abdominal organ ligaments, and about the uterus and kidneys. Histopathology showed the nodules to be organising vascular thrombi. Concurrent perivascular mononuclear infiltrations and intravascular thrombi in many tissues confirmed that the condition was malignant catarrhal fever.     

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in red deer (Cervus elephus)

Nine of 15 housed red deer developed an acute disease. Six died and three were killed when severely affected. The clinical and post mortem changes suggested a diagnosis of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) which was consistent with the pantropic lymphoproliferative histopathological lesions observed. Attempts to isolate an agent or transmit the condition to cattle failed. The relation of the vasculitis to the pathogenesis of the disease and the susceptibility of red deer are discussed.     

Isolation and characterisation of lymphoblastoid cells from cattle and deer affected with 'sheep-associated' malignant catarrhal fever

Cells with the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) have been obtained in culture from both cattle and red deer (Cervus elaphus) reacting with 'sheep-associated' malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Such cells have been derived from thymus, lymph node and spleen suspensions as well as from cerebrospinal fluid cells and cultured cornea. On most occasions their presence was observed only transitorily but by providing the cells with feeder monolayers and, or, interleukin-2, several lines were maintained indefinitely, and some became independent of these factors after prolonged culture. A similar cell line was also derived from a Père David's deer affected with MCF at Whipsnade zoological park. Functionally, cultured LGL were cytotoxic to both primary cell cultures and cell lines and their cytotoxicity was not restricted to histocompatible target cells. These findings suggest that the cultured cells have natural killer cell-like activity and that they are important targets for the agent of MCF in cattle and deer. One cell line derived from a red deer transmitted the disease but none of the cells generated from cattle did.     

Sagittal fractures of the third carpal bone in horses: 12 cases (1977-1985)

Third carpal sagittal fractures were found to be related to racing injuries in 10 of 12 horses. These fractures occurred most commonly on the medial aspect of the bone. A dorsoproximal-dorsodistal view of the carpus was required to visualize the fracture in all cases. Healing of the fracture required periods of rest of up to one year. Conservative management of these fractures resulted in return to function in 7 of 12 horses.     

Wildebeest-derived malignant catarrhal fever: unusual epidemiology in South Africa

The epidemiology of wildebeest-derived malignant catarrhal fever in South Africa differs from the worldwide accepted pattern. Here the occurrence of the disease is often not related to close contact between cattle and wildebeest, and most cases are observed during late winter and spring, when wildebeest calves are 8-10 months old. This is in contrast to the situation in Kenya and Tanzania, where most cases are encountered during autumn, when wildebeest calves are 3-4 months old.     

Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985)

Hospital records and radiographs of 211 dogs and cats with vertebral column fractures or luxations evaluated at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital between April 1977 and September 1985 were reviewed. After neurologic examination, status of the animal was graded on a scale of 1 to 8. Decision to treat each animal either medically or surgically was based on the extent and type of injury, neurologic signs, veterinarian's experience, and owner's wishes. After treatment, neurologic status was evaluated on the aforementioned scale and differences in the outcome of treatment were determined between surgically and medically treated groups, relative to initial neurologic status and location of the fracture. Surgically treated animals had pretreatment mean (+/- SD) neurologic status (3.71 +/- 1.35) that was slightly worse (P = 0.0079) than that of medically managed cases (5.16 +/- 1.48). Animals of the surgically treated group improved significantly (P = 0.0122) more than did those of the medically treated group but after treatment, significant differences in neurologic status were not evident between surgically (6.67 +/- 1.49) and medically (7.07 +/- 1.24) treated animals. Medically treated animals required substantially longer to reach optimal neurologic status, but the average hospital stay was nearly twice as long for the surgically treated animals (13.5 days), compared with those treated medically (7.1 days). Animals with thoracic vertebral fractures had mean neurologic status that was worse than that in animals with cervical vertebral fractures (P = 0.0109). After either medical or surgical treatment, neurologic status did not differ among animals with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebral fractures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Experimental transmission of malignant catarrhal fever to red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Malignant catarrhal fever was transmitted from affected to recipient red deer (Cervus elaphus) using blood or lymphoid suspension as inoculum. Incubation periods ranged from 11 to 26 days. The disease was also transmitted using lymphoid suspension stored overnight at 4 degrees C or at -70 degrees C for 8 months. The experimental disease was characterised by fever, depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and dysentry. The course of the disease was approximately 96 hours. Major lesions consisted of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute haemorrhagic typhlitis and colitis. Lesions in the caecum and colon started as multifocal mucosal haemorrhages and progressed rapidly to massive mucosal haemorrhage.     

Experimental transmission of malignant catarrhal fever to red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

Malignant catarrhal fever was transmitted from affected to recipient red deer (Cervus eluphus) using bloodor lymphoid suspension as inoculum. Incubation periods ranged from 11 to 26 days. The disease was also transmitted using lymphoid suspension stored overnight at 4°C or at ?70°C for 8 months.

The experimental disease was characterised by fever, depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and dysentry. The course of the disease was approximately 96 hours.

Major lesions consisted of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute haemorrhagic typhlitis and colitis. Lesions in the caecum and colon started as multifocal mucosal haemorrhages and progressed rapidly to massive mucosal haemorrhage.     

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in young rusa deer (Cervus timorensis)

On the basis of clinical signs and histological findings eight 9-month-old male rusa deer ( Cervus timorensis ) were diagnosed with sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever. Following a variable course involving rectal temperatures around 40.5°C, depression, inappetence, diarrhoea, corneal opacity and hypopyon all animals died or were euthanased over a 5-week period. Severe multifocal vasculitis, mainly periglomerular and in the arcuate vessels were consistent histological findings which in the past have been adequate to confirm clinical diagnosis of sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever. A nested poly-merase chain reaction test has been used to detect a sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever PRC product, 238 base-pairs in size, in DNA extracted from lymphocyte preparations. The result supported the diagnosis of sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever in these deer.     

Effects of corticosteroid treatment on survival time in dogs with chronic hepatitis: 151 cases (1977-1985)

Medical records of 151 dogs with chronic hepatitis were reviewed. Corticosteroid treatment had a statistically significant (P less than 0.005) effect on improving survival time when corticosteroid-treated dogs were compared with untreated dogs. Dogs dying within 1 week of examination represented 37.1% of the cases, and when compared with those living more than 1 week, serum glucose concentration was significantly lower (P less than 0.001); prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were significantly longer (P less than 0.001); blood ammonia concentration after oral administration of ammonium chloride was significantly higher (P less than 0.05); and necrosis severity and fibrosis severity were significantly greater (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.022, respectively). The best predictors of early death were low normal serum glucose concentration (P less than 0.001) and prolonged prothrombin time (P less than 0.030), which was abnormal in 60.0% of dogs dying early. Partial thromboplastin time, which was increased in 92.0% of dogs dying early and in 42.6% of dogs living more than 1 week, was a less reliable predictor. Plasma ammonia concentration after oral administration of NH4Cl was least reliable in predicting early death. In dogs living more than 1 week, hypoalbuminemia was a predictor of shorter survival time (P less than 0.003). Of all the histologic features evaluated, only necrosis severity and fibrosis severity were accurate predictors of early death. The presence of bridging fibrosis was a predictor of shorter survival time in dogs living more than 1 week (P less than 0.0002).     

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever involving 3-5-week-old calves in Saudi Arabia

Between late December 1999 and late April 2000, three locally bred Friesian calves (ageing 25, 28 and 35 days) in a dairy farm, at Al-Ahsa locality of the eastern region of Saudi Arabia showed dullness and inappetence. Their rectal temperatures ranged between 41 and 41.5 degrees C. One to 2 days later and onwards, the calves showed lacrimation, nasal discharge, salivation, oedema of the head, conjunctivitis, exo-ophthalmia and corneal opacity. One calf showed diarrhoea. The superficial lymph nodes were oedematous and swollen. The calves died after 7, 5 and 8 days, respectively, following the onset of the disease. Calves and rabbits were experimentally infected with materials from the naturally infected calves. The rabbits showed fever, mild conjunctivitis and one rabbit showed wet faeces. The experimentally inoculated calves showed rise in temperature and mild symptoms but none of them died. The virus from the naturally infected calves and from the experimentally infected rabbits was identified as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus using both the complement fixation test and the fluorescent antibody test, employing a reference anti-serum against the WC 11 strain of MCF virus. Serological survey for MCF antibodies in cattle, sheep and goats from the affected farm revealed that 54% of the examined animals were positive. The situation of MCF in Saudi Arabia was discussed in relation to sheep and wild game. This paper constitutes the first report of MCF in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.     

Malignant catarrhal fever in cattle experimentally inoculated with a herpesvirus isolated from a case of malignant catarrhal fever in Minnesota USA

A malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)-like syndrome was experimentally induced in three steers, which were under immunization trials with a herpesvirus previously isolated from a case of MCF in a cow in Minnesota USA. The clinical signs observed in the three steers, and the pathological and histological lesions observed in two of these steers which succumbed to the disease syndrome were indistinguishable from those described for MCF. Although seroconversion was readily demonstrated in the three animals, virus was not re-isolated from the blood leucocytes, secretions and tissues obtained from the two animals which succumbed to the syndrome during the course of the disease and after death. However, a herpesvirus which showed cell rounding cytopathic effects (cpe) in bovine thyroid cells (Bth), was re-isolated from the one steer which survived the disease.