The case of ectyma contagiosum (Orf) in a sheep flock in Van

Abstract

Ecthyma Contagiosum (Orf) was diagnosed in a sheep flock in Van province. The diagnosis were depended on clinical, serological findings and by electron microscopical examination. In addition, condition of serum iron and copper concentration in the infection were determined. The clinical signs were the presence of lesions of different size and severity around the mount and inner lips. In order to detection antibodies against Orf virus of serum samples which were taken from 18 lambs diseased, the Serum Neutralizing (SN) assay was used. In lambs, the mean values of antibody titre in serum samples which were taken at the first day and four weeks after of clinical onset were found as 1/151.72 and 1/37.30, respectively. In addation, the application of the direct electron microscopy for the rapid diagnosis of Ecthyma contagiosum was described in lesion materials. In lams with Ecthyma contagiosum, decrease of iron concentration and increase of copper concentration in serum were detected, after the clinical recovery the fluctuations of these trace elements were disappeared.