J Comp Path/ Vet rec 2008-2009

Small Ruminant

Brain Copper Elevation and Neurological Changes in North Ronaldsay Sheep: a

Model for NeurodegenerativeDisease? This study in North Ronaldsay (NR) sheep
showed that copper was elevated in both the liver and brain of older animals and that the
elevation in these two sites was highly correlated. The accumulation of copper in the liver
culminated in chronic active hepatitis. Evidence of tissue damage in the brain was
equivocal, but the astrocytes showed strong immunoreactivity for metallothionein. The
study suggested that the blood brain barrier of NR sheep possesses unusual features in
respect of the import of copper into the brain, and that NR sheep may provide a useful
animal model for the investigation of brain copper homeostasis.

1) Maedi-Visna: the Meningoencephalitis in Naturally Occurring Case: MVis

characterized by a chronic non-purulent interstitial inflammation of the lungs, joints,
mammary gland and central nervous system. Gross lesions were seen mostly in thoracic
spinal cord. Histologically, non-suppurative encephalomyelitis consisting of perivascular
cuffs and inflammatory infiltrate seen mostly in the cerebellar peduncles, corposum
callosum and thoracic spinal cord. The other common lesion was malacia, characterized
by white matter vacuolation.

Ovine Small Intestinal Adenocarcinomas are NOT associated with Infection by

Herpesviruses, Helicobacter species or Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140, 177e181. Sheep in New Zealand more
frequently develop small intestinal adenocarcinoma (SIA) than sheep in other countries.
These results suggest that the high rates of SIA in New Zealand sheep are not due to
frequent infection by herpesviruses, Helicobacter species or MAP.

Pathological Changes in the Respiratory Tract of Goats Infected by Pasteurella

multocida B:2. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140, 194e197. Experimentally infected goats.
Pulmonary lesions included acute pneumonia, congestion, edema and hydrothorax.
Subcutaneous edema of the lower jaw and brisket, typically seen in cattle and buffalo,
was absent in goats. Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is an acute, highly fatal infection of
ruminants (buffalo and cattle) in tropical countries. Goats are more resistant but are
naturally infected.
AA Amyloidosis Induced in Sheep Principally Affects the Gastrointestinal Tract. J.
Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. -, 1e9. Sheep experimentally inoculated to cause granulomatous
pneumonia. Beginning 18 dpi amyloid was present from the tongue to the rectum, but
was most prominent in the duodenum where the deposits disrupted the normal mucosal
architecture. Other body organs had only mild amyloid deposition.
Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the deposits were AA amyloid.

Atypical scrapie in a Swiss goat and implications for transmissible spongiform

encephalopathy surveillance. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:2–8 (2007). No difference between
the molecular characteristics of PrPsc in this animal and those of atypical scrapie in
sheep, differences in the distribution of histopathologic lesions and PrPsc deposition were
observed. In particular the cerebellar cortex, a major site of PrPsc deposition in atypical
scrapie in sheep, was found to be virtually unaffected in this goat. In contrast, severe
lesions and PrPscdeposition were detected in more rostral brain structures, such as
thalamus and midbrain.
Abomasal coccidiosis associated with proliferative abomasitis in a sheep. J Vet
Diagn Invest 19:118–121 (2007). The abomasal mucosa was grossly thickened with a
nodular surface and focal areas of hemorrhage. Microscopically, the middle to deep
abomasal mucosa contained many intact and ruptured giant protozoal schizonts
associated with hyperplasia of mucous neck cells, parietal cell atrophy, moderate
lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammation, and fibrosis centered on mineralized remnants of
degenerate schizont walls. Sexual tissue stages and oocysts were not present.
Unilateral orchitis and epididymitis caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies
diarizonae infection in a ram. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:194–197 (2007). A case of
unilateral suppurative epididymo-orchitis associated with Salmonella enterica subsp.
diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7 with fibrous adhesions between testicular layers,
coexistence of epididymal abscesses and foci of fibrinous exudate, and testicular atrophy.
Microscopically, testicular and epididymal microabscesses and diffuse inflammatory
infiltrates with abundant macrophages containing short Gram-negative rods were
observed. Superimposed on the chronic lesions were fibrin deposits with clusters of
neutrophils, as well as walled-off granulation tissue. Bacterial colonies were also
identified in thrombosed spermatic cord vessels, scrotal lymph nodes, lung, and liver.
Polypoid uterine leiomyosarcomas in a sheep. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:309–312 (2007) .
Uterine leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed based on cellular morphology and atypia and
positive immunohistochemistry for a-SMA. intraluminal polypoid masses of variable
sizes (0.5–4 cm). The masses were red, with white, smooth, and glistening cut surfaces.
Histologically they comprised variably dense sheets of moderately pleomorphic, plump
spindle cells embedded in richly vascularized stroma.
Toxic hepatopathy in sheep associated with the ingestion of the legume Tephrosia
cinerea. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:690–694 (2007). A disease known as water belly
(barriga d’a´gua), characterized by chronic progressive ascites,
affects sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Only sheep grazing for long
periods in pastures where Tephrosia cinerea
represents 80% to 100% of the available forage are affected. At necropsy, large amounts
of liquid were found in the abdominal cavity, and the liver was hard, with an irregular
surface. On histology examination, the main liver lesion was chronic periportal and
subcapsular fibrosis with bridging. Seeds and leaves of the plant were negative for
pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus to adult goats from persistently infected
cattle. J Vet Diagn Invest 19:545–548 (2007). The transmission of bovine viral diarrhea
virus (BVDV) from persistently infected (PI) heifers to adult seronegative goats was
examined in this study. Ten seronegative adult goats were exposed to 4 PI heifers. None
of the goats developed any clinical signs but all goats seroconverted by 42 days after
exposure to the PI cattle. Results indicate that goats are susceptible to BVDV infection
when housed with PI cattle.
Osteocartilaginous metaplasia in the right atrial myocardium of healthy adult sheep. J
Vet Diagn Invest 19:518–524 (2007). 3.49% had palpable evidence of
osteocartilaginous foci. An additional 8% prevalence was estimated based on radiographs
of hearts that contained #1 mm foci of nonpalpable, radiographically dense bone.
Microscopically, the nodules in the atria were characterized by mature lamellar bone
enclosing adipose tissue, with occasional new bone formation by endochondral
ossification. No degenerative changes were evident in the affected atrial myocardium,
suggesting that these lesions were clinically insignificant background changes.

Diagnosis of Clostridium perfringens intestinal infections in sheep and goats. J Vet

Diagn Invest 20:253–265 (2008). The most accepted criterion in establishing a
definitive diagnosis of enterotoxemia is detection of C. perfringens toxins in intestinal
contents. Also, histopathological examination of brain is very useful for diagnosis of type
D disease, as lesions produced by epsilon toxin in the brains of sheep and goats are
pathognomonic for type D enterotoxemia.

Acute phase protein response in goats. J Vet Diagn Invest 20:580–584 (2008). Hp
and SAA could be
considered as major APPs.

Ulcerative enterocolitis in two goats associated with enterotoxin- and beta2 toxin–
positive Clostridium perfringens type D. J Vet Diagn Invest 20:668–672 (2008).
Enterotoxemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type D in sheep is believed to result
from the
action of epsilon toxin (ETX). However, the sole role of ETX in the intestinal changes of
the acute and chronic forms of enterotoxemia in goats remains controversial, and the
synergistic action of other C. perfringens toxins has been suggested previously.
Histologically, there were multifocal fibrinonecrotic and ulcerative ileitis and colitis,
edema of the colonic serosa, and proteinaceous interstitial edema of the lungs.
Clostridium perfringens type D carrying the genes for enterotoxin (CPE) and beta2 toxin
(CPB2). These findings indicate that CPB2 may have contributed to the necrotic changes
observed in the intestine, possibly assisting ETX transit across the intestinal mucosa.
Bilateral perirenal hemorrhage in two Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei ): a possible
manifestation of malignant catarrhal fever. J Vet Diagn Invest 20:676–678 (2008).
Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)-like disease was diagnosed at postmortem in 2 Stone’s
sheep (Ovis dalli stonei). On gross examination, the predominant abnormality in both
sheep was severe perirenal hemorrhage and multiple renal infarcts. Microscopically, there
was severe, multisystemic lymphocytic arteritis. Both sheep were positive for Ovine
herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2).

Hepatic encephalopathy in two goat kids with common paternity. J Vet Diagn
Invest 20:807–811 (2008). Microscopic examination, however, demonstrated
hepatocellular atrophy and anomalies in the hepatic microvasculature, including
duplication of hepatic arteries, small-to-indistinct portal veins, and oval cell hyperplasia.
In addition, spongiform change was microscopically identified throughout the
parenchyma of the brain, most notably within the white matter and along the junction of
gray and white matter. The diagnosis of congenital portal vein hypoperfusion (suggestive
of a portosystemic shunt) with resultant hepatic encephalopathy was proposed in each
case based on the characteristic microscopic lesions in conjunction with the signalment
and history of the goats.

Mimosa tenuiflora as a Cause of Malformations in Ruminants in the Northeastern

Brazilian Semiarid Rangelands. Vet Pathol 44:928–931 (2007). Craniofacial
anomalies, eye malformations, and permanent flexures of the forelimbs. abnormalities
similar to those observed in field cases, including cleft lip, unilateral corneal opacity,
ocular bilateral dermoids, buphthalmos with a cloudy brownish appearance of the anterior
chamber due to an iridal cyst, and segmental stenosis of the colon. Malformations
induced experimentally by M. tenuiflora were similar to those observed in field cases.

Spontaneous and Experimental Glycoprotein Storage Disease of goats Induced by

Ipomoea carnea subsp fistulosa onvolvulaceae). Vet Pathol 44:170–184 (2007).
swainsonine-containing and calystegine- containing plant Ipomoea carnea subsp
fistulosa. Muscle atrophy. cytoplasmic vacuolation in neurons of the central and the
autonomous nervous system, pancreatic acinar cells, hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, follicular
epithelial cells of the thyroid gland, and macrophages of the lymphatic tissues. Neuronal
necrosis, axonal spheroids formation, and astrogliosis were additionally observed in the
brain. inhibition of the lysosomal a-mannosidase by the alkaloid swainsonine.

Conidiobolomycosis in Sheep in Brazil. Vet Pathol 44:314–319 (2007).

Mucohemorrhagic nasal discharge, and cranium-facial asymmetry from exophthalmos of
1 eye, generally with increased volume of the eyeball, keratitis, and corneal ulceration.
Friable masses were observed in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, often destroying
the ethmoturbinate bones. Frequently, the lesions invaded the nasal sinuses, cribiform
plate, orbit, and brain. In all lesions, negatively stained structures representing hyphae
were surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli material. Coagulative necrosis, thrombosis, and
vasculitis were also observed. Grocott methenamine silver stain showed 8–30-mm-thick
hyphae, rarely septate or ramified, irregular in shape, and with black contoured wall,
sometimes with bulbous dilatation in the extremities.
Natural Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Infection: Novel Pathologic Findings
Resembling Other Morbillivirus Infections. Vet Pathol 44:479–486 (2007).
Pathologic findings included erosiveulcerative
stomatitis, fibrino-necrotic tracheitis, bronchointerstitial pneumonia, multifocal
coagulation necroses in the liver, and severe lymphocytolysis in lymphoid tissues.
Syncytial cells were conspicuous, especially in the oral mucosa, pulmonary alveoli, liver,
and lymphoid tissues. these previously unreported pathologic findings in natural peste
des petits ruminants virus infection establish a basis for resemblance to other
morbillivirus infections, such as canine distemper and distemper of sea mammals.

Myocarditis Associated with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Type O in Lambs. Vet

Pathol 44:589–599 (2007). Inflammatory infiltration, hyaline degeneration, and necrosis
of sheets of myocytes were observed. The cellular infiltrates were mononuclear cells,
including many lymphocytes, macrophages, a few plasma cells, and neutrophils. Major
histocompatibility complex Class II+ dendritic and mononuclear cells, cd T cells,
CD172A+ and CD14+ macrophages and monocytes, and IgM+ B cells were detected
mainly in the infected hearts. Inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was seen mostly in
areas of inflammation infiltrated by large numbers of cells. These findings suggest that
the iNOS expressed by inflammatory cells in lesions may have a deleterious effect on
cardiac myocytes in these lesions.

Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma Not Related to Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus in a

Goat. Vet Pathol 44:710–712 (2007). A lung tumor with the characteristics of
bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was detected during histopathologic examination. The
tumor cells were positive for surfactant proteins C and B, confirming that alveolar type II
cells were the origin of the neoplasia. Tumor samples were tested by polymerase chain
reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry for the presence of Jaagsiekte
sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), another retrovirus very
closely related to JSRV, but all tests were negative. Therefore, this is the first reported
case of spontaneous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma not related to JSRV or ENTV
infection in a goat.

Cerebral Segmental Polyarteritis of Unknown Aetiology in Sheep. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140,
283e287. Vasculitis affecting the meningeal elastic arteries consisted of intimal proliferation,
thickening of the tunica media, perivascular accumulation of lymphocytes and plasma cells
within the tunica adventitia. There was no evidence for pestivirus antigen associated with the
lesions in these sheep. OHV-2 DNA by PCR was not found, although this may have been due to
technical problems and fresh material was not available for confirmatory studies. In addition, the
interpretation of any positive result would be difficult since many healthy sheep carry this virus.
Other ddx: Visna, polyarteritis, immune complex deposition.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Findings in the Lungs of Pigs Infected

Experimentally with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Histopathological changes consisted of exudates in airways and alveolar lumina, peribronchial
and peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia, and enlargement of alveolar septa. These changes
coincided with significant increases in the expression of cytokines (IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-8, TNF-a and
INF-g) and lymphoid markers (CD4+, CD8+, muramidase, IgG+, IgA+).

Ovine Small Intestinal Adenocarcinomas are not associated with Infection by

Herpesviruses, Helicobacter species or Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140, 177e181
Newzealand sheep develop small intestinal adenocarcinomas 8 times more frequently
than sheep elsewhere in the world.
There are no apparent causes identified that causes adenocarcinoma.

Pathological Changes in the Respiratory Tract of Goats Infected by Pasteurella

multocida B:2 J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140, 194e197
Lesions: Acute pneumonia, congestion, edema and hydrothorax without no signs of
brisket and jaw edema.

Mismatch Repair Protein Expression in Ovine Intestinal Adenocarcinomas Vet Path 2008 Jan: defect
in mismatch repair gene (MMR) causes hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer in humans. Sheep in
New Zealand develop SI adenocarcinomas more frequently, but NO defect in MMR was found.

Toxicity of the Lichen Secondary Metabolite (+)-Usnic Acid in Domestic Sheep Vet Path 2008 Jan:
skeletal muscle necrosis was seen. UA is hepatotoxic in monogastric animals. UA is present in lichen
xanthoparmelia chlorochora. Toxicity with this lichen caused death of 400-500 Elks in wyomig in 2004, cl
signs were red urine, ataxia and muscular weekness.

Bilateral Leydig Cell Tumor in a Six-Year-Old Intersex Goat Affected by Polled Intersex Syndrome
Vet Path 2008 Jan: Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS) is a cause of intersexuality in goats. Affected does
show abnormal horn development and intersexuality, resulting in sterility. The PIS gene regulates the
transcription of 2 genes involved in gonadal development: PIS-regulated transcript 1 (PISRT1) and
forkhead transcription factor gene (FOXL2). This regulatory function is lost when a 11.7-kb deletion
occurs in the PIS gene in homozygosis. As a result, XX embryos affected by PIS are masculinized.

Concurrent Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus and Pestivirus Infection in Stillborn Twin Lambs Vet
Path 2008 Mar: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of small ruminants that is
characterized by pseudomembranous oral lesions, bronchointerstitial pneumonia, and enteritis. Epidermal
syncytial cells and necrotizing bronchitis/bronchiolitis prompted testing for PPRV infection. Macroscopic
anomalies that were typical of border disease included scoliosis, brachygnathism, prognathism,
arthrogryposis, hydranencephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, and hairy fleece; pestiviral antigen was detected by
IHC in the brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys.

Experimental Reproduction of Severe Bluetongue in Sheep Vet Path 2008 May: Sheep inoculated
with a virulent South African strain of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 4 developed lesions characteristic
of fulminant BT, including coronitis, hemorrhage and ulceration of the mucosal lining of the oral cavity
and forestomaches, hemorrhage in the wall of the pulmonary artery, and focally extensive necrosis of
skeletal muscle, especially of the neck, pulmonary edema, edema of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial
planes of the head and neck, and pleural and pericardial effusion of varying severity.
Staphylococcus-associated Abortions in Ewes with Long-term Central Venous Catheterization. Vet
Pathol 45:881–888 (2008). Histologically, suppurative placentitis with necrosis and pulmonary aspiration
of meconium and amniotic debris often with suppurative bronchopneumonia were observed in abortuses.

A Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Review of Archived UK Caprine Scrapie Cases. Vet

Pathol 45:443–454 (2008). The vacuolar change observed in the goats was characteristic of transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies in general. PrP Sc immunohistochemical morphologic forms described in
scrapie and experimental BSE infections of sheep were demonstrable in the goats, but these were generally
more extensive and variable in PrP Sc accumulation. None of the cases examined showed a PrP Sc
immunohistochemical pattern indicative of BSE

Cutaneous and Nasal Protothecosis in a Goa Vet Path 2008 May t: Dermatitis with prominent
ulcerated nodules up to 3 cm in diameter was observed in the muzzle at the mucocutaneous junctions of
nasal and lip skin, and in the border of the pinna. Histologic lesions were necrotizing pyogranulomatous
dermatitis and rhinitis with myriads of walled sporangia, characteristic of Prototheca wickerhamii.

Cover illustration: Experimental Transmission of US Scrapie Agent by Nasal, Peritoneal, and

Conjunctival Routes to Genetically Susceptible Sheep Vet Path 2008 Jan: susceptibility to scarpie
in sheep is partially dependent on polymorphism in prion protein at codon, 136, 154, and 171.
Intracerebral inoculation is the fastest route to get infection. Intralingual is fastest non invasive
route. This paper suggested upper respiratory tract, esp the pharyngeal tonsil may serve as
portal of entry for prion protein.

Aquaporin-4 in Acute Cerebral Edema Produced by Clostridium perfringens Type D Epsilon Toxin
Vet Path 2008 May: Lambs, with high circulating levels of Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin
develop severe neurologic signs and microscopically there is microvascular endothelial injury and diffuse
vasogenic edema. In rats given epsilon toxin, generalized cerebral edema chr. by marked albumin
extravasation; there was increased expression o f AQP-4 in astrocytes, suggesting that AQP-4 plays in role
in attempting to resolve edema by astrocyte uptake

Systemic toxoplasmosis and Gram-negative sepsis in a southern chamois (Rupicapra

pyrenaica) from the Pyrenees in northeast Spain. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:244–247
(2009). Histopathologic examination revealed systemic toxoplasmosis and acute Gram-
negative septicemia. The protozoan organisms were identified as Toxoplasma gondii
based on immunohistochemistry. An indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed,
and the animal was positive with an antibody titer of 1:50.

Pituitary acidophil macroadenoma in a pygmy goat (Capra hircus hircus). J Vet

Diagn Invest 21:262–266 (2009). This report describes a pituitary acidophil
macroadenoma in a goat. Antemortem clinical findings included hypothermia and rumen
stasis. Clinicopathologic findings included refractory hypoglycemia, low total thyroxin
and insulin concentrations, elevated bile acid concentration, and hyposthenuria. In
addition to the pituitary macroadenoma, bilateral atrophy of the zona reticularis of the
adrenal glands was observed histologically.

Actinomyces hyovaginalis–associated lymphadenitis in a Nubian goat. J Vet Diagn

Invest 21:380–384 (2009). Fibrinopurulent necrotizing lymphadenitis of a
tracheobronchial lymph node, with an appearance similar to that reported in cases of
caseous lymphadenitis. Actinomyces hyovaginalis was isolated together with
Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. from the lesion.

Copper toxicosis with hemolysis and hemoglobinuric nephrosis in three adult Boer
goats. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:395–400 (2009). Defects in hepatic metabolism and
altered biliary and urinary excretion of copper (frequently related to high dietary
intake of copper) and/or nutritional imbalances between copper and other trace
elements can all result in massive hepatic stores of copper over time and lead to what has
been referred to as chronic copper toxicosis, based on the suspected duration of copper
exposure. Hepatic accumulation of copper eventually causes hepatocellular damage
during the prehemolytic stage of chronic copper toxicosis. The prehemolytic stage,
which is frequently subclinical, is followed by what often appears to be a sudden onset
of acute hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis associated with copper-induced
oxidative damage. the prehemolytic stage of chronic copper toxicosis often presents
clinically as a hepatopathy8,13,25,26 and, especially in the case of sheep, remains
subclinical in the prehemolytic stage until large quantities of copper are suddenly
released from hepatic stores. A stressful event, such as transportation, pregnancy,
lactation, strenuous exercise and/or handling, or disease and malnutrition, can
apparently trigger the breakdown of copper-containing lysosomes, resulting in severe
hepatocellular disease and release of copper from the liver. As can happen in acute
copper toxicosis, the sudden increase in blood copper concentrations causes formation
of methemoglobin and Heinz bodies as well as lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte
membranes and intravascular hemolysis of damaged erythrocytes7,17 Severe, acute
anemia with subsequent hemoglobinuric nephrosis frequently develops.

Isolation of Helcococcus ovis from sheep with pleuritis and bronchopneumonia. J

Vet Diagn Invest 21:164–166 (2009). Pathologic examination revealed severe, focally
extensive, chronic necrotizing pleuritis with intralesional coccobacilli and mild,
multifocal, subacute mucopurulent bronchopneumonia, indicating a bacterial etiology. A
Gram-positive bacterium was isolated in heavy growth from the lung tissue.

Frequency and Distribution of Nerves in Scrapie-affected and Unaffected Peyer's Patches and
Lymph Nodes: Nerves within lymph nodes and germinal centers of Peyer's patches do not play a primary
role in transport of infectivity to the central nervous system. Natural infection is by oral route. Initial site of
PrP accumulation after oral infection is dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve and intermediolateral tract of
SC.

Serial Passage of Sheep Scrapie Inoculum in Suffolk Sheep: US scrapie agent (No. 13-7) appears to
have been stabilized in susceptible (171 QQ) Suffolk sheep and may be considered a specific isolate of
sheep scrapie agent in the USA. Spongiform lesions present brainstem (obex), colliculi, cerebellum and
cereberum.

Pulmonary Myxoma in a Sheep: Myxoma is a rare tumor with a few reports of its occurrence in the jaws
of horses and cattle, the heart and synovia of dogs, the heart of a cat, and bronchi of a mare

The Pathology and Pathogenesis of Bluetongue. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 141,
1e16. Virus-genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. Transmission- Arthropod vectors
(Culicoides), transplacental transmission is dependent on strain. Susceptible- Sheep
mostly, but serotype 8 can cause disease in Cattle, goats, and camelids. Replication-
macrophage/monocyte, endothelial cells, lymphocytes. Pathogenesis- Injury to small
blood vessels in target tissues (lung, skin) leading to thrombosis and infarction. Direct
viral induced cytolysis is also a factor. GROSS lesions- SHEEP- coronitis; subintimal
hemorrhage in the pulmonary artery; edema of the lungs, subcutis, muscles of the neck
and abdominal wall; and pericardial, pleural and abdominal effusions; haemorrhage and
ulcers in the oral cavity and upper gastrointestinal tract; necrosis of skeletal and cardiac
muscle, Fetal lesions- cavitation in the CNS, hydranencephaly, if they survive early
infection. Immunocompetence occurs in mid-gestation. : CATTLE: Ulceration of
muzzle, oral mucosa, teats, interdigital necrosis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis: WTD- DIC and
hemorrhage: CAMELIDS- pulmonary edema, hydrothorax and pericardial effusion.
Carnoivores- Pulmonary edema, abortion. Comparative- Orbiviruses: Horse- African
Horse Sickness; WTD- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus 1 ans 2 (very similar to
BTV). DDX: Hemorrhagic dz in WTD – EHDV, BTV, Ibaraki virus, and Adenovirus
Hemorrhagic Disease.

Brain Copper Elevation and Neurological Changes in North Ronaldsay Sheep: a

Model for NeurodegenerativeDisease? This study in North Ronaldsay (NR) sheep
showed that copper was elevated in both the liver and brain of older animals and that the
elevation in these two sites was highly correlated. The accumulation of copper in the liver
culminated in chronic active hepatitis. Evidence of tissue damage in the brain was
equivocal, but the astrocytes showed strong immunoreactivity for metallothionein. The
study suggested that the blood brain barrier of NR sheep possesses unusual features in
respect of the import of copper into the brain, and that NR sheep may provide a useful
animal model for the investigation of brain copper homeostasis

Nor98 scrapie identified in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:454–463 (2009).
A distinct strain of scrapie identified in sheep of Norway in 1998 has since been
identified in numerous countries throughout Europe. Sheep that have genotypes
associated with resistance to classic scrapie are not spared from Nor98 disease.
Diagnosis of Nor98 scrapie is based on immunohistochemical (IHC) identification of
PrPSc in regions of the brain including the cerebellum and spinal nucleus of the
trigeminal nerve while sparing the motor nucleus of the vagus nerve and lymphoid
tissues, which are areas typically affected in classic scrapie. In addition, the Western
blot pattern for classic scrapie after deglycosylation with PNGase has a distinct change
from 3 protein bands to 1 band at approximately 20 kDa, which corresponds to a single
unglycosylated fragment. This change in the Western blot pattern does not occur when
Nor98 scrapie is treated with PNGase.

Axonal degeneration in sheep caused by the ingestion of Halimium brasiliense. J Vet

Diagn Invest 21:478–486 (2009). Transient seizures occurred mainly when sheep were
disturbed or frightened. The main histologic lesion was vacuolation of the brain and
spinal cord, with rare axonal spheroid formation. Transmission electron microscopy
revealed segmental axonal swelling with degeneration and disappearance of the
axonal organelles and vacuolation of the axoplasm. A pigment identified as ceroid
was also present in neurons, astrocytes, and macrophages.

Large Animal/Small Ruminant

IHC evaluation of inflammatory infiltrate in the skin & lung of lambs naturally
infected w/sheeppox virus. pp67-75. Jan 2006 NW (Turkey)
- Response to sheeppox virus (SPV) may be complex and involve mainly CD4+, CD8+
and + Tcells, IgM+ B cells,
and CD 21+ monocytes/ macrophages
- Cell-mediated immune response is predominant
- Vasculitis – Arthus reaction secondary to antibody-antigen complexes (IgM)
- SPV caused a down-regulation of MHC I and II express in both skin and lung
- Sheep pox cells (SPCs), which contain viral antigen:
- Monocyte and macrophages (CD14+ and CD172A+)
- Degenerative epithelial cells or fibroblasts (CD14- and CD172A-)

Chronic copper toxicosis in sheep following the use of copper sulfate as a fungicide
on fruit trees. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:540–543 (2009). hematuria, icterus,
incoordination, and ptyalism. Postmortem findings included generalized icterus; yellow,
friable livers; distended gallbladders with dense, dark bile; and dark, hypertrophic
kidneys with hemorrhage. High Cu concentrations were present in the livers, kidneys,
and sera of dead sheep, as well as in the vegetation and soil samples from the field.
Chronic Cu toxicosis was confirmed as the cause of death attributed primarily to the use
of copper sulfate as a fungicide for fruit trees.

Persistent truncus arteriosus with dissecting aneurysm and subsequent cardiac

tamponade in a lamb. J Vet Diagn Invest 21:543–546 (2009). presence of a common
arterial trunk arising from the right ventricle and overriding a ventricular septal defect.
The pulmonary arteries originated from a short common trunk from this PTA, which
subsequently continued as the thoracic aorta. The death of the lamb was attributed to a
rupture of the PTA with subsequent cardiac tamponade. Histologically, a dissecting
aneurysm with elastic fiber fragmentation in the wall of the PTA was identified as the
underlying pathologic condition.

Oculoglandular Syndrome Caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in a Dairy Goat: J Comp

Path 141 vol 2-3: An outbreak of ocular disease in a herd of housed dairy goats was characterized
by severe granulomatous conjunctivitis and ipsilateral parotid and submandibular
lymphadenopathy. Y. pseudotuberculosis was isolated from both the conjunctiva and
submandibular LN. Histo: severe chronic active suppurative and lymphoplasmacytic
conjunctivitis; necrosuppurative lymphadenitis associated with yersinia. Similar pathological
changes occur in Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome in man due to infection with Y.
pseudotuberculosis.

Pathology of Inherited Rickets in Corriedale Sheep. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 141,
147e155. A skeletal disease with features of rickets and osteomalacia and simple
autosomal recessive inheritance. Gross lesions include segmental thickening of physes,
growth arrest lines, collapse of subchondral bone of the humeral head, thickened cortices
and enthesiophytes around distal limb joints. Microscopically, there is persistence of
hypertrophic chondrocytes at sites of endochondral ossification, inappropriate and
excessive osteoclastic resorption, microfractures and wide, unmineralized osteoid seams
lining trabeculae and filling secondary osteons. Different from inherited forms of rickets
described to date in man and animals.

Pulmonary Myxoma in a Sheep. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 141, 187e189. Well
demarcated, multilobulated, soft in consistency and white in colour. Microscopically, the
tumour comprised a hypocellular myxomatous matrix, rich in acid mucopolysaccharides,
with scattered spindle-shaped or stellate cells. These cells had uniform, oval-shaped
nuclei without visible nucleoli and expressed vimentin and S100 on im-
munohistochemical examination.

Diagnosis of placental pathogens in small ruminants by immunohistochemistry and PCR on

paraffin-embedded samples. VETERINARY RECORD | 164, 2009 175-178 35 abortions in sheep
(from 25 flocks) and 23 abortions in goats (from 21 flocks). All the animals had been vaccinated
with a live vaccine against B melitensis, and 26 animals from 18 of the flocks had been
vaccinated with combined killed vaccines against C abortus and S Abortusovis. The results of this
study indicate that the commercially available killed vaccines provide little protection against C
abortus. Severe necrotizing placentitis with an abundant inflammatory infiltrate composed
mainly of neutrophils was associated with C burnetii. The basophilic material found in the
cytoplasm of the swollen trophoblast cells in all the cases with suppurative placentitis was
confirmed by IHC to be composed of C burnetii microorganisms. However, several cases that
tested positive for C burnetii showed ‘non-classical’ C burnetii lesions, such as mild changes or
necrotizing placentitis with a poor inflammatory infiltrate.

Meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella species in a live-stranded striped dolphin

(Stenella coeruleoalba) in south-west England. VETERINARY RECORD | 164, 2009 86-89
Amplification of an IS711 element downstream of the bp26 gene by PCR confirmed that the
isolate possessed this unique feature, specific to marine mammal strains of Brucella species.
Non-suppurative meningoencephalitis and choroiditis lesions involving the brainstem,
cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain and choroid plexus, is consistent with what has been described
in other striped dolphins with Brucella species infection.

Mapping PrPSc Propagation in Experimental and Natural Scrapie in Sheep with

Different PrP Genotypes: In sheep, susceptibility to this disease is highly dependent on
polymorphism in the PrP gene. Homozygous VRQ are regarded as the most susceptible
to the disease. The VRQ/ARR sheep are less susceptible to scrapie. ARR/ARR sheep are
the most resistant to the [Link])/VRQ sheep had a greater accumulation of the
pathologic form of prion protein (PrPSc) in peripheral tissues, as compared with
VRQ/ARQ. All inoculated VRQ/VRQ sheep, but only one of eight inoculated VRQ/ARQ
animals, were PrPSc-positive in the CNS. Thus, the propagation of PrPSc seemed slower
and more limited in VRQ/ARQ animals. PrPSc- protein spread by lymphatics, periaxonal
transportation (satellite cells as early targets)and hematogenous dissemination.

Abortion and Neonatal Mortality in Sheep Poisoned with Tetrapterys

multiglandulosa. Vet Pathol 46:960–965 (2009). Tetrapterys spp. have been reported
as a cause of cardiac fibrosis, status spongiosus of the nervous system, and abortion.
Seven fetuses had anasarca. Seven lambs from groups 1 and 4 were weak and died or
were euthanatized. The other 2 were born weak with mild nervous signs but recovered.
Cardiac fibrosis and status spongiosus of the nervous system were observed in newborn
lambs and fetuses.

Outbreak of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in golden Guernsey goats

in Great Britain
Veterinary Record (2009) 165, 335-342
Several herds with interconnected histories. Multiple positive single intradermal
comparative
cervical tuberculin (SICCT) tests.
GROSS: Chronic necrotizing pneumonia. 2 to 5 cm in diameter with larger cavitated
lesions containing yellow pus. Thoracic lymphadenitis. Mesenteric lymphadenitis.
Multifocal hepatitis was observed in five animals.
HISTO: Granulomatous inflammation, with central caseous necrosis and mineralisation
surrounded by a mantle of macrophage and Langhans-type multinucleate giant cells, with
variable numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells surrounded by a partial or complete
fibrous capsule. Acid-fast bacilli varying in numbers from sparse to numerous were
usually detected in macrophages and giant cells or free within the coagulum.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Abortion in Goats Housed with Persistently Infected
Cattle: goats experimentally comingled with heifers persistently infected with BVD type
2a. 12 out of 24 aborted. Grossly: placentitis, mummification, facial deformities; Histo:
placentitis, myocarditis, thymic depletion, choroid plexitis, encephalitis. Development of
PI kid is less likely.

Distribution of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Antigen in Aborted Fetal and Neonatal
Goats by IHC: placenta, heart, brain, thymus are most reliable for BVDV antigen
detection