The pathology of Rift Valley fever. I. Lesions occurring in natural cases in new-born lambs. 1977

J A Coetzer

A widespread epizootic of Rift Valley fever occurred in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa during 1974--75. This is a report on the gross pathology of 34 new-born lambs and the histopathology of 93 new-born lambs that died during this outbreak. The liver was affected in every case and showed the most pronounced lesions. The organ was grossly enlarged in most cases, with scattered greyish-white necrotic foci 1--2 mm in diameter and haemorrhages of varying size throughout. Haemorrhages were also frequently seen in the mucosa of the abomasum. The massive diffuse necrosis of hepatocytes (pannecrosis) associated with well-demarcated foci of primary coagulative necrosis, present in 100% of the cases examined, was characteristic of the histopathology of the new-born lamb. Bile thrombi were noticed in the livers of 31% of the lambs and intranuclear inclusions in 49% of the cases. The diagnostic significance of the microscopic liver lesions is discussed. Focal necrosis and haemorrhages were frequently seen in the adrenal cortex while generalized destruction of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and spleen occurred in many of the animals. In addition, the following hitherto undescribed or previously not well-documented lesions are recorded: (i) mineralization of single or groups of necrotic hepatocytes in 62% of the livers: (ii) pyknosis and karyorrhexis of the cellular elements in the glomeruli and a hyalinized appearance of many of these affected glomeruli; and (iii) necrosis of the tips of the villi in the small intestine in some of the animals.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D009276 Namibia A republic in southern Africa, south of ANGOLA and west of BOTSWANA. Its capital is Windhoek. Republic of Namibia,South West Africa,Southwest Africa
D004196 Disease Outbreaks Sudden increase in the incidence of a disease. The concept includes EPIDEMICS and PANDEMICS. Outbreaks,Infectious Disease Outbreaks,Disease Outbreak,Disease Outbreak, Infectious,Disease Outbreaks, Infectious,Infectious Disease Outbreak,Outbreak, Disease,Outbreak, Infectious Disease,Outbreaks, Disease,Outbreaks, Infectious Disease
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831 Animals, Newborn Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth. Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D012295 Rift Valley Fever An acute infection caused by the RIFT VALLEY FEVER VIRUS, an RNA arthropod-borne virus, affecting domestic animals and humans. In animals, symptoms include HEPATITIS; abortion (ABORTION, VETERINARY); and DEATH. In humans, symptoms range from those of a flu-like disease to hemorrhagic fever, ENCEPHALITIS, or BLINDNESS. Fever, Rift Valley
D012756 Sheep Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS. Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012757 Sheep Diseases Diseases of domestic and mountain sheep of the genus Ovis. Ovine Diseases,Disease, Ovine,Disease, Sheep,Diseases, Ovine,Diseases, Sheep,Ovine Disease,Sheep Disease
D013019 South Africa A republic in southern Africa, the southernmost part of Africa. It has three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial). Officially the Republic of South Africa since 1960, it was called the Union of South Africa 1910-1960. Republic of South Africa,Union of South Africa

Related Publications

J A Coetzer
May 1962, American journal of veterinary research,
J A Coetzer
November 1951, South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde,
J A Coetzer
August 2016, BMJ case reports,
J A Coetzer
December 1959, East African medical journal,
J A Coetzer
November 1984, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene,
J A Coetzer
January 2019, Bulletin de la Societe de pathologie exotique (1990),
J A Coetzer
January 1983, Advances in veterinary science and comparative medicine,
J A Coetzer
January 1965, Advances in veterinary science,
Copied contents to your clipboard!