Vesicular Exanthema

Vesicular Exanthema
 It is an acute viral infection in pigs having high febrile reaction
with the formation of vesicles on lip, oral mucosa, feet, snout,
nostril, ventral abdomen and teats.

 The vesicles are similar to foot and mouth and vesicular

stomatitis disease.
 Distribution
 The disease wasfirst recorded in U.S.A. in 1932 by Traum
(1936)- there was an outbreak in California. Disease has been
reported from various states of U.S.A. the disease was
eradicated from U.S.A. in 1959
 Etiology

 The disease is causedby R.N.A. virus classified as calici virus

which has got about 13 antigenic strains.
 The virus is resistant to environmental stress and can persist
for a long time in refrige ration.
 The virus is destroyed by 2% sodium hydroxide.
 The virus is about 10 times bigger than foot and mouth
disease virus.
 Susceptible Hosts

 Pigs are extremelysusceptible to this infection.

 Pigs of all breeds and ages do suffer from this disease.
 It can be experimentally transmitted to horse. Laboratory
animals are not susceptible.
 The virus can be grown in tissue culture.
 Transmission

 The virus infection spread from pig to pig through direct contact from
farm to farm
 This spread may take place through visitors, attendants and buyers.
 The virus is excreted through saliva and faeces prior to appearance of
vesicles.
 The shedding of virus continues for about five days.
 The shedded virus serve to transmit the disease.
 Raw garbage and pork scrap may act as source of disease transmission
from farm to farm.
 The disease can experimentally be produced in pigs by oral dosing with
infected material.
 The disease can also be produced through intradermal or intramuscular
inoculation of infected viscera or muscle.
 Pathogenesis

 The virus on gaining entrance set up viraemia at about 48

hours. Following viraemia, there is formation of vesicles
which appear on the buccal mucosa and cutaneous surface of
the hoof.
 The vesicles may rupture and there is oozing of vesicular fluid.
 The lesions may heal rapidly in uncomplicated cases.
 The vhoof lesions may produce lameness.
 Clinical Findings

 Inially there is high rise of temperature which may go up to 1080F.

 Then there is decline of temperature followed by development of vesicles
on the snout involving nostrils; coronary band of the feet; dew claws;
udder and teats.
 There is loss of appetite and diarrhea.
 Due to lameness animal may disincline to move.
 There is drop in milk yield.
 The lesions may heal up rapidly or the lesion may be complicated by
secondary bacterial invaders.
 In uncomplicated cases, the animal may recover within 7-14 days.
 Mortality rate is appreciably high in suckling pigs and low in adults.
 Lesions

 The lesions are more or less similar to foot and mouth disease
and vesicular stomatitis.
 The vesicles are comprised of cellular material and serous
fluid.
 The epithelial cells may undergo degenerative and necrotic
changes.
 Diagnosis

 This is based on clinical findings and lesions.

 The disease has to be differentiated from other vesicular
diseases.
 Animal inoculation, complement fixation and gel diffusion
precipitation test are to be done to confirm the disease
 Treatments
 There is no specific treatment.
 Symptomatic treatment are to be adopted.
 Hyperimmune serum may be used.
 Control

 Strict isolation, quarantine and sanitation are required.

 Infected animals may be put to slaughter and adequate
measures are to be taken for their disposal.
 Infected house and premises should be cleaned with 2%
sodium hydroxide solution.
 Garbage feeding is to be prohibited.
 If at all practiced, the garbage should be given after proper
boiling.
 Immunization with formaline killed Aluminium gel vaccine has
been done.
 The vaccine affords immunity for a period of 6 months.
THANKS

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