Malignant Catarrhal Fever Virus

Abstract

This chapter discusses the malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus. It belongs to the Herpesviridae family. The virus causes vasculitis and lymphoproliferation resulting in the inflammation of mucous membranes and leads to enteritis, pneumonia, nervous signs, and death. Outside of Africa, there is a similar clinicopathological condition known as malignant catarrhal fever, the etiology of which has not been established. Sheep, cattle, buffalo, and deer are the hosts to MCF. Wildebeest, hartebeest, and topi have inapparent infections for this disease. Most of the countries outside of Africa have reported the non-wildebeest-associated disease. This is sometimes referred to as the sheep-associated MCF. Wildebeest-associated MCF is restricted to Africa and zoological collections. Non-wildebeest-associated MCF is diagnosed only by clinicopathological evidence. The wildebeest-associated MCF is diagnosed by virus isolation and serology. Other diagnostic methods include indirect immunofluorescent assay, complement fixation, virus neutralization, and agar gel immunodiffusion. No diagnostic reagents of MCF are commercially available.