CONTAGIOUS ECTHYMA

(CONTAGIOUS PUSTULAR DERMATITIS, ORF,

SCABBY MOUTH, SOREMOUTH)
• ETIOLOGY
• Orf is associated with the orf virus, a type
species of the genus Parapoxvirus (family
Poxviridae) .
• The orf virus withstands drying and is capable
of surviving at room temperature for at least
15 years.
• There exists a considerable heterogeneity
between different field isolates.
• EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Occurrence
• The disease occurs in sheep and goats.
• It occurs most commonly in lambs 3-6 months of age
when at pasture, although adult animals can be severely
affected.
• The disease has occurred in musk ox, reindeer, mountain
goats and bighorn sheep, chamois, caribou, Dall sheep,
buffalo, wild goats, and camels, and humans.

• Morbidity and case-fatality rates

• Outbreaks may occur in sheep and goats, with morbidity
rates approaching 100% and case-fatality rates from 5 to
15%.
• Methods of transmission
• Scabs that fall off from healing lesions contain
virus and remain infective for long periods in dry
conditions.
• Another source is that chronic lesions that exist
for long periods on individual animals.
• Infection can b e from environmental
persistence of the virus or from infected sheep.
• Spread in a flock is very rapid and occurs by
contact with other affected animals or by
contact with contaminated objects, such as feed
troughs, ear-tagging pliers.
• Risk factors
• The primary risk factors are the presence of the virus and the
immune status of the sheep.
• Inter-current infections may exacerbate the occurrence of the
disease.

• Economic importance
• The disease produces a minor problem.
• Loss from lamb mortality and secondary mastitis in these
circumstances can be significant.

• Zoonotic implications
• Orf virus is readily transmitted to humans, who have contact with
infected animals.
• Lesions are localized on the hands, arm or face and are self
limiting and heal without scaring after 6 to 7 weeks.
• PATHOGENESIS
• Damage to the skin is essential for the establishment of orf
infection.
• The virus replicates in the cells of epidermal layer derived
from the walls of the wool follicles.
• The infection spreads laterally and uniformly in the
epidermis.
• The skin reaction consists of a cellular response with necrosis
and sloughing of the affected epidermis.
• The cutaneous response to infection includes a delayed-type
hypersensitivity reaction and an influx of inflammatory cells
involving neutrophils, basophils, and possibly mast cells.
• The lesions evolve through the stages of macule, papule,
vesicle, pustule, scab formation, and resolution without scar
formation after 3-4 weeks.
• CLINICAL FINDINGS
• Lesions develop initially as papules and then pustules, and
progress to raised moderately proliferative area of granulation, and
inflammation covered with a thick, tenacious scab.
• Lesions develop at the oral mucocutaneous junction, at the oral
commissures, and the lips.
• They spread on to the muzzle and nostrils, and, to a lesser extent,
on to the buccal mucosa (tongue, gums, dental pad).
• Affected lambs sucking ewes may cause spread of the disease to
the udder with similar lesion.
• Lesions on the teats predispose to mastitis and secondary infection.
• Lesions on the scrotum may be accompanied by fluid accumulation
in the scrotal sac and associated temporary infertility.
• Lesions may be found on the feet, occurring around the coronary
band.
• CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
• Electron microscopic identification.
• Detection by PCR
• Gel diffusion test

• NECROPSY FINDINGS
• Irregularly shaped lesions, with a hyperemic border in the
oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract.
• Typical lesions are actually proliferative, with subsequent
loss of centrally located cells creating an ulcer-like
appearance.
• Microscopically, the hyperplastic epithelium contains
swollen degenerate cells, some of which may house
eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies.
• TREATMENT
• There is no specific treatment.
• Removal of the scabs and the application of ointments or astringent
lotions are practiced but delay healing in most cases.
• The provision of soft, palatable food is recommended.

• CONTROL
• In the early stages of an outbreak, isolating affected ones and
vaccinating the others.
• 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.
• Vaccination is completely effective for at least 2 years.
• Lambs should be inspected 1 week after vaccination to insure that local
reactions have resulted. Absence of a local reaction signifies lack of
viability of the vaccine or the existence of a prior immunity.