Related Experiment Videos
Abstract:
Malignant catarrhal fever is briefly reviewed and recent findings are described. Initially the disease was observed as a disease of cattle in Europe where, although no cause could be identified, circumstantial evidence implicated sheep as a source of infection and it was thus designated 'sheep-associated' malignant catarrhal fever. Subsequently the disease was observed in Africa where it became evident that a herpesvirus which normally infects wildebeest was the cause. It is now apparent that deer are highly susceptible to both forms of the disease, the sheep-associated form being a serious problem in farmed deer. The wide spectrum of clinical and pathological changes that occur in affected deer are described. A major constraint to studies of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever has been the absence of an experimental laboratory system. However, from affected deer it has been possible to transmit the disease to rabbits and thus has allowed detailed pathogenesis studies to be made which are summarised in this paper. It is suggested that the agent of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever is a virus and that when a particular subpopulation of T-lymphocytes is infected a profound immunological perturbation results; the lesions of malignant catarrhal fever being explained by a benign T-lymphocyte hyperplasia accompanied by a deregulation of cytotoxic natural killer lymphocytes that gives rise to tissue necrosis.
Insights
Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in deer is caused by a herpesvirus. Recent studies in rabbits reveal MCF pathogenesis involves T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell deregulation, leading to tissue damage.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a severe disease affecting cattle and deer.
- Historically, 'sheep-associated' MCF in Europe lacked a known cause, while African MCF was linked to a wildebeest herpesvirus.
- Deer exhibit high susceptibility to both MCF forms, posing significant challenges in farmed deer populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) and present recent findings on its pathogenesis.
- To describe the clinical and pathological changes observed in deer affected by MCF.
- To summarize new insights into MCF pathogenesis enabled by a novel experimental model.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on malignant catarrhal fever (MCF).
- Description of clinical and pathological findings in naturally infected deer.
- Transmission of MCF from deer to rabbits to establish an experimental laboratory system for pathogenesis studies.
Main Results:
- Deer are highly susceptible to both sheep-associated and wildebeest-associated MCF.
- A rabbit model was successfully established, facilitating detailed pathogenesis studies.
- MCF pathogenesis is suggested to involve a specific T-lymphocyte subpopulation infection, leading to immunological perturbation.
Conclusions:
- The agent of sheep-associated MCF is likely a virus.
- MCF pathogenesis involves T-lymphocyte hyperplasia and deregulation of cytotoxic natural killer lymphocytes.
- These immunological disruptions explain the characteristic tissue necrosis observed in malignant catarrhal fever.