Contagious Ecthyma

Orf, Contagious pustular dermatitis, Sore mouth,

SCABBY
MOUTH
Contagious ecthyma is an infectious dermatitis of
sheep and goats and sometimes camels that
affects primarily the lips of young animals.

The disease is usually more severe in goats than

in sheep. People are occasionally affected
through direct contact.
Etiology

Parapoxvirus
Poxviridae

The virus is highly resistant to

desiccation in the environment, having
been recovered from dried crusts after
12 yr. In the laboratory, it is also resistant
to glycerol and to ether.
 Epidemiology
Occurrence in most world wide
Susceptible animals : sheep and goat , most
commonly in lambs 3-6 months of age
Morbidity and case fatality
Outbreaks may occur in sheep and goats,
with morbidity rates approaching 100%
and case fatality rates from 5 - 15% .
Methods of transmission

Scabs that fall off from healing lesion
contain virus and remain highly infectiv
for long periods in dry conditions.,

 occurs by contact with other affected

animals or by contact with contaminated
inanimate objects, such as feed troughs ear-
tagging pliers.
Invasionof the virus occurs through skin
damage as injury or abrasion
Damage to the skin is essential for the
establishment of orf infection and the
development of typical lesions.

The skin reaction consists of a cellular response

with necrosis and sloughing of the affected
epidermis and underlying of the dermis.

The lesions evolve through the stages of
macule, papule, vesicle, pustule, scab
formation, and resolution.

The pustules develop within a few days,

and rupture resulting in ulcers and
subsequently a thick overlying crust or
scab forms which is shed within 3-4
weeks leaving no scar
Immunity is solid but will last only about
8 months.
 Clinical signs
1-Lesions develop initially as papules and then
pustules, stages which are not usually initially
observed

2-The first lesions develop at the oral

mucocutaneous junction  lips and around
erupting incisor teeth and may extend to the
mucosa of the buccal cavity.
Pustule stge
Coalescence of numerous discrete lesions often leads to
the formation of large scab

swellingof the lips. From here they spread on to the

muzzle and nostrils,

Lesionson the teats predispose to mastitis and

secondary infection
CE in teat of goat
CE in teat in sheep
CE in human
n rams, lesions on the scrotum may be
accompanied by fluid accumulation in the
scrotal sac and associated temporary
infertility.
A malignant form of the disease hasalso
been observed in sheep. It begins with an
acute episode manifested by oral vesicles,
and extension of these lesions

down the gastrointestinal tract, followed

later by granulomatous lesions and
shedding of hooves.
 CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

1-Electron microscopic identification of the
virus.

2-Virus can also be detected by PCR

and restriction enzyme analysis of viral

3-Neutralizing antibodies in their serum and this

is detectable by a gel diffusion test and other
serological tests but has little clinical value
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Papillomatosis
Bluetongue
Sheep pox
Foot and mouth disease.
Facial eczema
 :Treatment and Control

Both parenteral and topical antibiotics may help

combat secondary bacterial infection of the skin
lesions. 

The provision of soft, palatable food is

recommended.

diathermy and cryosurgery.

lambs should be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks of age
The vaccine is prepared from
 a suspension of scabs in glycerol saline and is
painted onto a small area of scarified skin
inside the thigh, or by pricking the ear
with a needle dipped in the vaccine.

Live vaccines should be used cautiously to avoid

contaminating uninfected premises,