Abstract
An outbreak of contagious ecthyma (CE) was investigated in June, 2012 with morbidity rate of 22% in Adet Sheep Research Sub-Center, Ethiopia. The results of this investigation indicated that the outbreak was caused by infection with CE virus. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for rapid diagnosis was applied to five scab samples obtained from sheep suspected for CE. To confirm whether the causative agent was present in skin scrapings, PCR of the complete B2L gene to diagnose CE was used in this study. The expected PCR fragments, approximately 1206 bp in length were obtained from DNA which had been extracted from tissue scrapings. All five skin scab samples were confirmed positive to CE by PCR. In conclusion, detailed phylogenetic analysis of CE virus is suggested in order to know the genetic origin of the virus strain as well as for the future choice for immunoprophylaxis. Key words: Adet Sheep Research Sub-Center, B2L gene, contagious ecthyma, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sheep.
Highlights
Contagious ecthyma (CE) virus is the etiological agent of contagious pustular dermatitis and is the prototype of the genus Parapox virus (PPV), which is an oval, enveloped virus containing dsDNA genome within the genus P.virus, family Poxviridae (Damon, 2007)
The mortality rate related to CE is usually low, but it may be very high in small ruminants, especially when bacterial or fungal secondary infections occur (Robinson, 1983; Lughano and Dominic, 1996; Haig and Mercer, 1998)
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result of five suspected samples was equal to the PCR reading of positive control CE virus which showed 1206 bp (Figure 2)
Summary
Virus, family Poxviridae (Damon, 2007) This epitheliotrophic virus causes a severe exanthematous dermatitis that afflicts domestic and wild small ruminants (Robinson and Balassu, 1981; Keshan et al, 2010). It is characterized by the formation of papules, nodules, or vesicles that progress into thick crusts or heavy scabs on the skin of the lips, on the oral mucosa, tongue, gingiva, and around the nostrils (Robinson and Balassu, 1981; Vikoren et al, 2008). Characteristic of the disease are proliferative and often self-limiting lesions (Keshan et al, 2010). The mortality rate related to CE is usually low, but it may be very high in small ruminants, especially when bacterial or fungal secondary infections occur (Robinson, 1983; Lughano and Dominic, 1996; Haig and Mercer, 1998)
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