Orf (animal disease)
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- See Orf for other meanings.
Orf is a disease caused by a parapox virus and occurring primarily in sheep and goats. It is also known as contagious pustular dermatitis, sore mouth, contagious ecthyma, and scabby mouth. Orf virus can also infect humans. The origin of the term orf is from Old English, in which it means rough.[1]
[edit] Orf in sheep and goats
Orf is spread by fomites and direct contact. Symptoms include papules and pustules on the lips and muzzle, and less commonly in the mouth of young lambs and on the eyelids, feet, and teats of ewes. The lesions progress to thick crusts which may bleed. Orf in the mouths of lambs may prevent suckling and cause weight loss. Sheep are prone to reinfection.[1] A live virus vaccine is made from scab material and usually given to ewes at the age of two months, but only to lambs when there is an outbreak.[2] The vaccine can cause disease in humans.
[edit] Orf in humans
Humans can contract this disorder through direct contact with infected sheep and goats or with fomites carrying the orf virus. It causes a purulent-appearing papule locally and generally no systemic symptoms. The papule may persist for 7 to 10 weeks and spontaneously resolves. It is an uncommon condition and not easily identified by most doctors.
While orf is usually a benign self-limiting illness, it can be very progressive and even life-threatening in the immune-compromised host. One percent topical cidofovir has been successfully used in a few patients with progressive disease. Serious damage may be inflicted on the eye if it is infected by orf, even among healthy individuals.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Fenner, Frank J.; Gibbs, E. Paul J.; Murphy, Frederick A.; Rott, Rudolph; Studdert, Michael J.; White, David O. (1993). Veterinary Virology (2nd ed.). Academic Press, Inc. ISBN 0-12-253056-X.
- ^ Carter, G.R.; Wise, D.J. (2006). Poxviridae. A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology. Retrieved on June 13, 2006.
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