Malignant Catarrhal Fever Jeffrey Musser, DVM, PhD Professor Moritz van Vuuren Suzanne Burnham, DVM Texas A&M University University of Pretoria College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Notes For additional information, download this presentation and read the notes attached to each slide. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever In this presentation the authors especially drew from the first hand experience of their colleagues in South Africa. Personal interviews as well as standard research sources provide the insights we bring you for the recognition of this exotic disease. Jeffrey Musser Suzanne Burnham Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Another word of thanks to Dr Corrie Brown who believes that sharing information will make the world a better place. Dr Brown generously has shared her work on this subject to add to the depth of this work. MALIGNANT CATARRHAL FEVER Dr Corrie Brown Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Diseases Notifiable to the OIE Cattle diseases Bovine anaplasmosis Bovine babesiosis Bovine genital campylobacteriosis Bovine spongiform encephalopathy Bovine tuberculosis Bovine viral diarrhoea Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia Enzootic bovine leukosis Haemorrhagic septicaemia Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious    pustular vulvovaginitis Lumpky skin disease Malignant catarrhal fever Theileriosis Trichomonosis Trypanosomosis (tsetse-transmitted) Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Malignant catarrhal fever, is an infectious disease of ruminants. It is also referred to as malignant catarrh, malignant head catarrh, and gangrenous coryza. In South Africa it may also be called “snotsiekte” which means “snotting sickness” Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Malignant catarrhal fever is a sporadic, usually fatal, pansystemic disease of cattle and deer characterized by low morbidity but high mortality, high fever, catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and the digestive tract, dehydration, conjunctivitis, generalized lymphadenopathy and epithelial lesions. Malignant catarrhal fever that is associated with wildebeests has been recognized on the African continent for many centuries. In the United States there have been reports of a disease resembling Malignant catarrhal fever since the 1920’s. The first bison case in the US was reported in 1973. Now cases are reported worldwide in many species especially in zoos or wildlife theme parks. For this reason many zoos no longer keep wildebeest. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Contents Etiology Host range Transmission Incubation Clinical signs Diagnosis Differential Diagnosis Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Etiology Wildebeest derived MCF is caused by Alcelaphine herpesvirus type 1(AHV-1) Sheep associated MCF is caused by Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OVH-2) Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Etiology and Caprine herpesvirus type 2 All are Lymphotropic Cell-associated Gamma family herpesviruses Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Etiology Wildebeest-derived Occurs wherever wildebeest live Alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 Sheep-associated Endemic, worldwide; sheep is the natural reservoir host Ovine herpesvirus-2 Goat-derived Goats are the natural reservoir host. Caprine herpesvirus-2 Seen in deer as alopecia, weight loss syndrome This disease is a concern for bison breeders, captive deer and elk producers as well as all cattle producers. The disease is often misdiagnosed and it is not a reportable disease in all of the states in the US Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Etiology All varieties of domestic sheep in North America are carriers of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OVH-2). Malignant Catarrhal fever in these natural hosts does not produce clinical disease. Likewise, goats are endemically infected with caprine herpesvirus-2 (CpHV-2) which apparently only causes clinical disease in deer. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Etiology The disease expression in “sheep-associated” MCF and “wildebeest-derived” MCF is very similar. In the last 30 years in the US outbreaks have had approximately 30-50% morbidity depending on continuous co-mingling with the source animal(s). In an outbreak in Colorado in 1971-1972, 85 or 231 head of cattle died within 68 days. For the cattle infected with Malignant catarrhal fever during these outbreaks mortality approaches 100%. White tailed deer, axis deer, and Pere David’s deer also have extremely high mortality rates. Water buffalo, farmed deer and fallow deer have much lower mortality rates. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Host Range The disease can occur in cattle, domesticated buffaloes, a wide range of captive antelopes and deer, and free-living deer. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Host Range Under natural conditions only domestic cattle and deer develop clinical signs MCF has never been reported in free-living wild animals in Africa Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Host Range In zoological collections a wide variety of ruminant species have been reported to develop clinical signs Rabbits can be infected experimentally Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Host Range It was recently confirmed in pigs in Scandinavia Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Reservoir ruminant species Blue wildebeest Black wildebeest Domestic sheep Goats Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Blue Wildebeest Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever South Africa is the only natural habitat of the black wildebeest. The populations were nearly decimated by hunters but have recently increased in number. Prof. Moritz van Vuuren Black Wildebeest Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Transmission Neonatal and adolescent wildebeest shed virus www.africadreamsafaris.com/.../serengeti.html Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Transmission from reservoir animals to domestic cattle, deer contact with calving wildebeest contact with lambing sheep Primarily the virus is cell associated. Cell-free virus is shed in nasal secretions by neonatal and adolescent sheep. Neonatal wildebeest may shed cell-free virus in lacrimal and nasal secretions and in feces up to 4 months of age. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Cattle are more susceptible to Wildebeest derived MCF than to the sheep or goat MCF www.bayhavenfarm.com/corriedale_sheep.htm Bay Haven Farm Cleveland Bay Horses www.africadreamsafaris.com/.../serengeti.html Africa Dreams Safais: the Serengeti National Park Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Transmission Transmission of the virus is associated with lambing time of sheep or calving season of wildebeest when the virus can be shed from nasal secretions. After this period the virus occurs only as cell-associated, not free virus Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Transmission Droplets and aerosol dispersal of free virus may contaminate feed and water sources Transmission to cattle mostly occurs by inhalation of droplets shed from ewes that are lambing Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Natural transmission of the virus Wildebeest to cattle  Wildebeest to other ruminants  Wildebeest to deer  Sheep to cattle  Sheep to other ruminants  Sheep to deer  Deer to susceptible species ? Deer to deer  Goats to susceptible species ? Quite likely Cattle to cattle X Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Congenital Transmission Cow will die then later calf will die Because the virus is usually intracellular there is no cow to cow transmission. Cattle are considered the dead end host. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Pathogenesis Virus infects “natural killer” lymphocytes and transforms them. Transformed cells then replicate as if they were neoplastic and attack host. Terminal necrotizing lesions are believed to be the result of an autoimmune type phenomenon. Vessels and stratified squamous mucosal surfaces are attacked. Dr Corrie Brown Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Incubation Unknown for natural infections. Some animals are subclinically infected and only demonstrate symptoms when stressed. Some evidence indicates up to 200 days Experimentally incubation periods may be from 7 to 77 days Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever: Clinical Signs In some cases MCF presents as chronic alopecia and weight loss as with deer infected with the Caprine herpesvirus. However, MCF is typically fatal. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs There are many factors that affect the duration of the disease in different species The severity of the clinical symptoms will depend on those factors. Mortality is usually 100% but some animals face weeks of progressive disease For this reasons, once the disease is identified, most elect to euthanized the affected animal. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs High fever 106-107°F (41-41.5°C) Depression In deer - sudden death Deer and bison that survive 2-3 days: Hemorrhagic diarrhea Bloody urine Corneal opacity Then death Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs The longer the animal survives the course of the disease the more severe the signs become. For example, animals that die acutely may not develop lymphadenopathy or corneal opacity Malignant Catarrhal Fever

As the disease progresses: Catarrhal inflammation Erosions and exudates in upper respiratory tract, ocular and oral mucosa Swollen lymph nodes Lameness CNS signs (depression, tremors, stupor, hypo-responsive, aggression, convulsions Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs On average the time to death for European cattle is longer than for deer, bison and water buffalo; usually 7-17 days after the appearance of clinical signs In cattle the swollen lymph nodes and severe eye lesions are more frequent Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Hemorrhagic enteritis and cystitis are more frequently seen in bison and deer than in cattle Skin lesions are common in animals that do not succumb quickly Most eventually die, about 5% recover clinically Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical signs Depressed and VERY SICK Stertorous respiration Enlarged lymph nodes Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Present with extended head, stertorous breathing, and lesions in the oral mucosa. Also notice the encrustation around the muzzle. MvV Animals suffer, are painful and breathe with difficulty Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia may be eventual cause of death if not euthanized first. Animals suffer, are painful and cannot breathe well. Euthanasia is usually recommended. Mvv Secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia may be eventual cause of death if not euthanized first Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Cattle stand with neck stretched out and eyes closed due to painful ophthalmia. This cow also has a nasal discharge. MvV Painful swollen eyes Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Ocular and nasal discharge cb Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs cb “snotsiekte” Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Mucopurulent discharge, crusting occludes the nostril; Mucopurulent discharge, crusting occludes the nostril; animal begins open mouth breathing. MvV Mucopurulent discharge, crusting occludes the nostril; animal begins open mouth breathing. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Erosions develop MvV Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Epithelial erosions, severe encrustation of the nostril. MvV Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Early corneal opacity begins Characteristic of MCF Early corneal opacity begins at the limbus cb Progresses to total opacity Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Clinical Signs Severe panophthalmitis, hypopion, corneal erosions are more frequent in cattle mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Severe Ocular lesions mvv Painful Conjunctivitis Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Progresses to corneal opacity Severe Ocular lesions mvv Progresses to corneal opacity beginning at Limbus Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Severe Ocular lesions Eye lesions are almost pathognomonic. Almost always present in cattle, corneal opacities are bilateral and begin at lateral limbus and progress to center. Hypopion, ulceration, complete opacity and blindness ensue. MvV Characteristic eye lesions Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Severe Ocular lesions mvv Characteristic eye lesions Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Severe Ocular lesions mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Oral Lesions Erosions on gums, dental pad and near teeth No lesions on the dorsal surface of the tongue. MvV Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Erosions near the teeth Oral Lesions Erosions near the teeth mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Necrosis of papillae similar to rinderpest Oral Lesions Necrosis of papillae similar to rinderpest mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Erosions here are similar to bluetongue in Africa Oral Lesions Erosions here are similar to bluetongue in Africa mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Oral Lesions cb Erosions of papillae Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Oral Lesions mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Erosions in squamous (anterior) portion of nasal cavity cb Erosions in squamous (anterior) portion of nasal cavity Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Enlarged and edematous Lymph nodes become enlarged if the animal has survived more than a few days of the disease. On cross section the lymph nodes are edematous and sometimes hemorrhagic. M. van Vuuren Enlarged and edematous lymph nodes Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Moist necrotic dermatitis with exudation and encrustations Skin lesions associated with both sheep form and wildebeest derived. Resembles foot-and-mouth disease mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Mild diarrhea sometimes seen which is black and tarry, but not effusive Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever In terminal stages CNS symptoms: falling, circling, head pressing, high stepping convulsions, then death mvv Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Clinical Signs in Swine From a case in Norway: Symptoms reported as: hyperemic conjunctiva, vomiting, restlessness and anorexia. The rectal temperature was 41° C, the respiratory rate was 33 per minute, and the heart rate was 110 per minute. Despite parenteral antibiotic treatment, the symptoms worsened and the pig died 5 days after onset of disease. Over a short period, three other adult swine in the same herd died after showing similar clinical signs. LYken T, Aleksandersen M, Reid H, Pow I: Malignant catarrhal fever in swine caused by Ovine herpesvirus-2 in Norway. Vet Rec 143:464-467, 1998 September 11, 2003 — Michael Meredith (ed. Harry Snelson) Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is usually encountered as a fatal infectious disease of cattle and cervids (deer). The disease occurs world-wide but is not common except in some parts of Africa. Wild ruminants can be sub-clinical sources of MCF in Africa and sheep can be an important asymptomatic reservoir of the virus elsewhere. Now the sheep-associated MCF virus, Ovine Herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), has been identified in Swiss pigs as the causative agent of a disease which has been termed Porcine Malignant Catarrhal Fever (PMCF). The Swiss researchers suggest that the disease may be "heavily underestimated" in swine because the clinical signs and diagnostic procedures are not generally known. In sheep, MCF virus excretion occurs in semen and sexual transmission of OvHV-2 is believed to be important in the epidemiology of the virus. Bratberg B: Acute vasculitis in pigs: a porcine counterpart to malignant catarrhal fever. Proc Congress Internatl Pig Vet Soc, Copenhagen, Denmark, p. 353, 1980 Kurtze H: Überträgung des “Bösartigen Katarrhalfiebers des Rindes” auf ein Schwein. (In German). Deutsche Tierärtzliche Wochenschrift 57:261, 1950 In sheep, MCF virus excretion occurs in semen and sexual transmission of OvHV-2 is believed to be important in the epidemiology of the virus. http://www.aasv.org/news/story.php?id=738 Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Clinical Features Summary Incubation period is LONG – weeks to months Morbidity LOW Clinical illness – weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes, corneal opacity, rhinitis Mortality – 100% Dr Corrie Brown Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Diagnosis Polymerase chain reaction Gross Pathology Histopathological examination Serology Virus isolation Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Diagnosis at Necropsy The disease is systemic and lesions can be found in any organ Inflammation and necrosis of the respiratory, alimentary and urinary mucosa Generalized lymphoid proliferation and necrosis Widespread vasculitis Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Focally disseminated erosions and ulcerations in the GIT Professor Moritz vanVuuren Focally disseminated erosions and ulcerations in the GIT Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Focally disseminated erosions and ulcerations in the GIT Professor Moritz vanVuuren Erosions occur from the esophagus to the rumen. Prominent lesions in the abomasum is common feature of MCF. Focally disseminated erosions and ulcerations in the GIT Malignant Catarrhal Fever

“button ulcers” 5-10 cm erosions Professor Moritz vanVuuren Focally disseminated erosions and ulcerations in the GIT “button ulcers” 5-10 cm erosions Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Professor Moritz vanVuuren Frequently see erosions in the bladder mucosa Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Professor Moritz vanVuuren Lymphoid infiltration Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Multifocal lymphoid infiltration Professor Moritz vanVuuren Prominent white nodules representing intramural and perivascular proliferation may be apparent. (Merck Veterinary Manual 9th Ed.) Multifocal lymphoid infiltration Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Multifocal lymphoid infiltration Professor Moritz vanVuuren Multifocal lymphoid infiltration Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Professor Moritz vanVuuren Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Enlarged lymphoid tissue – everywhere – looks like lymphoma Dr Corrie Brown Tonsils bulge Lymph nodes – TOO BIG Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Hemal nodes are prominent Dr Corrie Brown Spleen infiltrated Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Peyer’s patches stand out Dr Corrie Brown Peyer’s patches stand out Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Diagnosis Dr Corrie Brown Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Diagnosis Dr Corrie Brown Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Histopathology T lymphocyte hyperplasia, cell necrosis T lymphocyte hyperplasia, cell necrosis Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Histopathology Severe necrotizing vasculitis Perivascular lymphoid infiltration Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Histopathology Perivascular lymphoid infiltration of arterioles Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Differential diagnosis Mucosal disease Rinderpest Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis Orbivirus infections Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Control of MCF There is no vaccine Keep cattle away from lambing sheep and calving wildebeest! “Well, what have I always said?...Sheep and cattle just don’t mix”( Larsen) Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Differential Diagnosis Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Rinderpest Foot-and-mouth disease Bovine Viral Diarrhea/mucosal disease East Coast Fever (Theileriosis) With CNS signs can resemble rabies Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Script, directing and editing: Prof M van Vuuren Video footage: Prof M van Vuuren and Prof JAW Coetzer Voice-Over: Mr M Gooding Editing: Mr A du Plessis An excellent video about Malignant Catarrhal Fever is available from: http://www.up.ac.za/academic/veterinary/depts_vtd_teach/index.htm Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Summary Think Malignant Catarrhal fever when: Only a few cattle are affected and they die Cattle have been exposed to sheep during lambing season Cattle have severe respiratory symptoms and conjunctivitis with cornel opacity Lesions are on the ventral side of the tongue Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Image Watermark “KAW” images by Dr. Ken A. Waldrup “Coetzer” images used with permission by Dr. J.A.W. Coetzer “LLogan” images by Dr. Linda Logan “Suz” images by Dr Suzanne Burnham “MVV” images by Prof Moritz van Vuuren Logo for Dr. Juan Lubroth Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Acknowledgements Special thanks to Professors Moritz van Vuuren and JAW Coetzer Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, U of Pretoria Linda Logan, DVM PhD, USDA International Services, Attaché Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD, Texas Department of State Health Services Robin Sewell, DVM, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Librarian Kelsey Pohler- Research Assistant, TAMU Linda Venter, Instructional Designer, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, U of Pretoria Lilly Mphahlele, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, U of Pretoria Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever Special thanks for materials borrowed with permission from presentations by: Corrie Brown, DVM PhD, University of Georgia, Department of Veterinary Pathology Professor Moritz van Vuuren and Professor JAW Coetzer, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, “Malignant Catarrhal Fever” presented at the FEAD course in Knoxville, Tenn. 2005. Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Malignant Catarrhal Fever This presentation is a collaborative effort Malignant Catarrhal Fever