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Diagnosis | Contagious ecthyma

Lab Animal volume 37, pages 494–495 (2008)Cite this article

The clinical signs and gross lesions identified in this case were consistent with infection by orf virus, a member of the double-stranded DNA virus genus Parapoxvirus (family Poxviridae). In goats and sheep, orf virus causes contagious ecthyma. Histopathological evaluation of the submitted oral skin samples showed epidermal hyperplastic epithelium and ulceration that formed elongated rete peg-like structures extending deeply into the dermis. These proliferative microscopic findings were considered highly suggestive of an etiologic diagnosis of contagious ecthyma.

Contagious ecthyma, also known as orf (derived from an Old English word meaning “rough”) or “scabby mouth” is a contagious disease of goats and sheep1. The disease may also occur in alpacas, camels, reindeer, musk oxen, deer and pronghorn antelope2. Viral transmission occurs by direct contact with infected animals or indirectly from fomites or from the environment. Host-to-host transmission is caused by the virus crossing through dermal or mucosal abrasions3. Most sources cite an incubation period of 2-6 days, with clinical signs seen commonly in younger animals1,2,3. Vesicles, pustules and scabs around the mouth are the most typical clinical signs, but lesions may rarely be observed in the esophagus, rumen and intestines2,3 and on the eyelids, teats, vulva and feet4,5. Lesions usually heal spontaneously within 3–4 weeks (ref. 6). Depending on lesion location, however, animals may be reluctant to nurse, eat or walk. At least one study has reported severe persistent orf for 3 months' duration in Boer breed goats as young as 2 months of age5. Flocks infected with the orf virus may have high morbidity but low mortality, and deaths typically are due to secondary infections1,7.

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Figure 2: A negative-stained transmission electron micrograph image showing the typical ultrastructural details of a parapoxvirus (in this case, orf virus).

References

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Mary Ard of the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for expertise in electron microscopy. We also thank Ms. Tanya Cooper, Mr. Frank Waters and Mr. Logan Gabriel of University Research Animal Resources for necropsy assistance and the dedicated care they provide to laboratory animals.

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Diagnosis | Contagious ecthyma. Lab Anim 37, 494–495 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1108-494

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