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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Animal Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371605
Research Project: Diagnostic and Control Strategies for Malignant Catarrhal Fever

Location: Animal Disease Research

Title: A review of the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of malignant catarrhal fever in Brazil

Author
item HEADLEY, SELWYN - University Of Londrina
item DE OLIVEIRA, THALITA - University Of Londrina
item Cunha, Cristina

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2020
Publication Date: 6/15/2020
Citation: Headley, S.A., de Oliveira, T.E.S., Cunha, C.W. 2020. A review of the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of malignant catarrhal fever in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 51:1405-1432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00273-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00273-6

Interpretive Summary: Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is a severe, frequently fatal, infectious disease caused by a virus, ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2). The virus usually does not cause disease in sheep, but infected animals can transmit the virus and cause disease into other species, including cattle. This review provides a critical analysis of the epidemiological and pathological aspects of the disease in cattle as well as its economic impacts for the cattle industry in Brazil. Recommendations for diagnosis of SA-MCF and the possible association of OvHV-2 with the development of bovine respiratory disease are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is a severe, frequently fatal, infectious disease caused by ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), in which sheep are the asymptomatic hosts and cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals are the accidental hosts. This review provides a critical analysis of the epidemiological aspects and economic impacts associated with SA-MCF in cattle with special emphasis on Brazil. Moreover, the clinical manifestations and pathological lesions associated with SA-MCF are reviewed and discussed. It is recommended that a histopathologic diagnosis of SA-MCF be based on all aspects of vascular disease in the affected animal and not only lymphocytic/necrotizing vasculitis and/or fibrinoid change. Conformation of the intralesional participation of OvHV-2 in these alterations can be achieved by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization assays. Additionally, it is proposed that OvHV-2 should be considered as a possible infectious disease agent associated with the development of bovine respiratory disease in cattle. Moreover, the possible role of the small intestine in the dissemination of OvHV-2 is discussed.