Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
2621 MORGAN CIR
KNOXVILLE,TN 37996-4540
Performing Department
PATHOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCFv) is a viral infection of ruminants that poses a potential endemic threat to the animal agriculture industry of Tennessee. This study is designed to develop preliminary surveillance to determine the prevalence of MCFv in Tennessee, exploiting established diagnostic, management, educational and production entities to gather relevant samples for diagnostic testing of the virus in domestic and wild ruminant livestock.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Malignant Catarrhal Fever is a viral infection of ruminants that poses a potential endemic threat to the animal agriculture industry of Tennessee. At least four ruminant species of economic consequence (cattle, sheep, goats, deer) to Tennessee are either carriers or affected by the disease. This collaborative study proposes to exploit established diagnostic, management, educational and production entities in gathering relevant samples for diagnostic testing for the virus. The results of ELISA testing, quantitative real-time PCR testing and gene sequencing are being used to delineate the distribution and prevalence of the viral strains in the diverse regions of the state. The investigators intend to employ the same networks to educate and advise producers, wildlife managers and diagnosticians regarding the incidence and risk for the disease. Two of the species populations known to harbor MCF viral strains (goats and deer) are increasing in the state of Tennessee. The
state's deer herd has expanded to over 1 million animals (source TWRA). The state's goat population is second only to Texas (source: USDA Census of Agriculture). Cattle are one of the species affected by MCF and the state's cattle population exceeds two million head. There is no vaccine available for this disease, therefore control, if possible, requires an understanding of the demographics of the virus in Tennessee's ruminant domestic and wild livestock. Based on the current literature, lack of coherent surveillance on a national level, absence of surveillance on a statewide basis, species range of endemic viral strains and the potential for recrudescent sub-clinical disease, we hypothesize that there is unrecognized widespread prevalence of the Malignant Catarrhal Fever virus in Tennessee. Our objectives are to: 1) test relevant species populations (cattle, sheep, goats, deer) from across the state. 2) characterize the prevalence and strain distribution by region within the state 3)
provide meaningful information regarding the disease risks to producers, managers, diagnosticians and policymakers within the state.
Project Methods
Our approach is to this problem is three-fold: 1) Identify and exploit species relevant sample sources. This aim involves the use of existing data sources and established networks of the investigators to secure permission for sample collection and retrieval with relevant distributional and exposure data. University, state, public and private sources serve as the pool from which to obtain samples of healthy and diseased livestock for testing. 2) Diagnostic preparation and testing of samples for presence of the MCF virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. This aim will be accomplished within the immunology service facilities of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. Techniques already employed within the laboratory have been adapted to this issue. Primers have been design for real time PCR for 3 strains (OHV-1, CpHV-1 and WTD-MCF) of the malignant catarrhal fever virus. The targets of these primers have been validated by DNA sequence
analysis and match published sequences for the specific strains. ELISA methodologies have been used to screen large closed herds and clinical presentation cases. The ELISA results allow assessment of herd exposure intra-herd prevalence and focused characterization of the viral strain present in the each tested herd. 3) Determination of distribution and prevalence of the MCF in the state of Tennessee for a rational response. This aim correlates the sample data gathered from specific aims 1 and 2 the incidence and the strain variation of MCF in the various geographic regions of the state. This information will be provided to relevant policy makers, wildlife managers, producer organizations and diagnosticians for their use in decision making processes regarding risk assessment and health initiatives involving the livestock industries in Tennessee.