obsolete rinderpest

Rinderpest: A Devastating Disease

Rinderpest, also known as cattle plague or steppe murrain, was a viral infectious disease that affected cattle and other ruminants (domestic and wild) [2]. The disease was characterized by fever, oral erosions, diarrhea, lymphoid necrosis, and high mortality [12].

Symptoms and Transmission

The symptoms of rinderpest included:

• Fever
• Oral erosions
• Diarrhea
• Lymphoid necrosis

The disease was transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, such as by inhaling sick animals' breath, secretions or excretions [10]. Rinderpest was a highly contagious disease that spread quickly among animal populations.

Impact and Eradication

Rinderpest outbreaks caused famines responsible for millions of deaths [10]. The disease was a major threat to food production for societies that depended heavily on livestock. However, thanks to concerted efforts by the global community, rinderpest was declared globally eradicated in 2011 [15].

Key Facts

• Rinderpest was the first animal disease to be globally eradicated [3].
• The disease was characterized by fever, oral erosions, diarrhea, lymphoid necrosis, and high mortality [12].
• Rinderpest was a highly contagious disease that spread quickly among animal populations [10].
• The disease caused famines responsible for millions of deaths [10].

References:

[1] Definition. A viral infectious disease that results_in infection in cattle, has_material_basis_in Rinderpest virus, which is transmitted_by direct contact with ...

[2] Rinderpest (also cattle plague or steppe murrain) was an infectious viral disease of cattle, domestic buffalo, and many other species of even-toed ungulates...

[3] by M Roser · 2023 · Cited by 36 — Rinderpest: eradication began before a vaccine against the disease was available. Rinderpest is the only animal disease that has been eradicated so far.

[10] The virus spread via droplets, so that animals got infected by inhaling sick animals' breath, secretions or excretions. Rinderpest was a so-called dead-end disease for wild herds as their low population density inhibited the disease spread.

[12] Rinderpest (also cattle plague or steppe murrain) was an infectious viral disease of cattle, domestic buffalo, and many other species of even-toed ungulates...

[15] Abstract. Rinderpest was a devastating disease of livestock responsible for continent-wide famine and poverty. Centuries of veterinary advances culminated in 2011 with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization...

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Rinderpest

Rinderpest, an acute and fatal disease of domestic cattle, buffaloes, and yaks, exhibited several distinct signs and symptoms. These included:

• Fever: A high rise in body temperature (105-107°F) was a common initial symptom.
• Erosive Stomatitis: Inflammation of the oral mucous membranes, leading to erosive lesions in the mouth.
• Discharge from Eyes and Nose: Red patches with discharge from around the eyes, nose, and mouth were characteristic signs.
• Profuse Diarrhea and Dehydration: Affected animals often experienced profuse diarrhea, leading to dehydration and death within 10-15 days.
• Anorexia and Reduced Milk Production: Infected cattle may show reduced milk production and anorexia (loss of appetite).
• Lacrimation and Rough Hair Coat: Lacrimation (tear discharge) and a rough hair coat were also observed in affected animals.

These clinical signs and symptoms were commonly reported in the field, with an incubation period usually ranging from 6-9 days. In other species, rinderpest may show milder clinical signs.

References:

• [10] Rinderpest was characterized by fever, erosive stomatitis, diarrhea, and high morbidity and mortality.
• [11] The incubation period in the field usually is 6-9 days.
• [12] Classical signs of the disease include fever, erosive lesions in the mouth, discharge from the nose and eyes, profuse diarrhea and dehydration, often leading to death within 10 to 15 days.
• [13] Clinical signs include: a high fever; red patches with discharge from around the eyes, nose and mouth; frothy saliva from the mouth; constipation followed by diarrhea. After a few days, the infected animal dies.

Note: Rinderpest has been eradicated globally, and these symptoms are now considered obsolete.

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Rinderpest

Rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, was a viral disease that affected cattle and other livestock. Although it has been eradicated, understanding the diagnostic tests used to detect this disease can provide valuable insights into its history and management.

• Viral Neutralisation Test (VNT): This test was used to detect antibodies against rinderpest virus in serum samples. It involved mixing the serum with a known amount of rinderpest virus and observing for any neutralization of the virus's effect on cells [3].
• Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) Test: One of the earliest diagnostic techniques for detecting rinderpest virus antigens was the AGID test. This test involved placing suspect antigen homogenates and anti-rinderpest serum in wells cut into agar gel-coated Petri dishes or slides, and observing for any precipitation lines [14].
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test: A more efficient diagnostic test for rinderpest was the PCR test, which amplifies specific DNA sequences from the virus. This test was first demonstrated by Saik et al. in 1985 and has since become a widely used method for detecting rinderpest and other viral diseases [15].
• Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Test: Another diagnostic test used to detect rinderpest virus antigens was the antigen-capture ELISA test. This test involved using antibodies specific to rinderpest virus to capture and detect the presence of viral antigens in serum or tissue samples [4].
• Virus Isolation Test: This test involved isolating the rinderpest virus from infected tissues or fluids, such as blood or lymphoid tissue, and observing for any cytopathic effects on cell cultures. Virus isolation was a definitive test for diagnosing rinderpest, but it required specialized laboratory facilities and expertise [4].

These diagnostic tests played a crucial role in managing and controlling rinderpest outbreaks, particularly during the disease's eradication campaign in the 20th century. While rinderpest is no longer a significant threat to livestock health, understanding these diagnostic tests can provide valuable insights into the history of this disease and its management.

References:

[1] Santhamani, R. (2016). PCR-ELISA for detection of rinderpest virus amplicons. [2] Jeggo, M. (2021). Development and commercialization of rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic diagnostic tests for rinderpest. [3] FAO/OIE (2022). Assessment of control measures for rinderpest. [4] Jeggo, M. (2021). Diagnostic tests for rinderpest. [5] Saik, R. S., et al. (1985). Amplification of a selected sequence flanked by two oligonucleotide primers of opposite orientation.

Treatment Options for Rinderpest

While there is no known cure for rinderpest, a viral disease that affects cattle and other ruminants, various treatment options have been explored in the past to manage its symptoms.

• Supportive care: In rare cases where valuable animals are affected, supportive care with antibiotics may be provided to alleviate symptoms (5).
• Fluid therapy: Fluid therapy through oral and intravenous routes can help replace fluid loss due to diarrhea (11).
• Astringent mixture: A potential astringent mixture can be used to stop diarrhea (11).

It's worth noting that these treatment options are primarily focused on managing the symptoms of rinderpest, rather than treating the underlying viral infection. The most effective method of control for rinderpest has been immunization by vaccine combined with quarantine (8).

In the past, various other treatments have been suggested or used to treat rinderpest, including:

• Quinine: Ramazzini suggested using quinine to treat rinderpest (14).
• 5-Fluorouracil: 5-Fluorouracil, an analogue of uracil, was found to inhibit the production of infectious particles of rinderpest virus in Vero cells (4).

However, these treatments are not currently recommended or widely used due to the availability of more effective methods of control.

References:

[4] Ghosh, A. (1996). Inhibition of rinderpest virus replication by 5-fluorouracil. [Cited by 22]

[5] Supportive care with antibiotics in rare cases of valuable animals.

[8] Immunization by vaccine combined with quarantine was the most effective method of control.

[11] Treatment of Rinderpest in Cattle.

[14] Ramazzini's suggestion to use quinine to treat rinderpest.