obsolete border disease

Braxy: An Obsolete Border Disease

Braxy, also known as brakse, was an infectious disease that affected sheep and was caused by the bacterium Clostridium septicum [5]. The disease was characterized by a profound toxemia resulting from invasion of the abomasal (stomach) mucosa, leading to severe symptoms such as fever, weakness, and eventually death [5].

Historical Context

Braxy was once considered a significant threat to sheep farming in certain regions, particularly where sheep were kept in close proximity to each other. However, with advancements in veterinary medicine and the implementation of effective control measures, the incidence of braxy has significantly decreased over time.

Key Features

• Caused by Clostridium septicum
• Characterized by profound toxemia and invasion of the abomasal mucosa
• Symptoms included fever, weakness, and eventual death
• Once considered a significant threat to sheep farming, but now largely obsolete due to advancements in veterinary medicine

References

[5] - The term "braxy" is mentioned as an infectious disease of sheep caused by Clostridium septicum.

Obsolete Border Disease Signs and Symptoms

Border disease, also known as "hairy shaker" disease, was a viral infection in sheep caused by the Border Disease Virus (BDV), a type of pestivirus. The disease primarily affected pregnant ewes and their lambs, leading to significant production losses in affected flocks.

Clinical Signs:

• Long-term weight loss: A consistent clinical sign of Border disease was long-term weight loss with loss of body condition.
• Increased drinking and urination: Affected sheep showed increased drinking and urination habits.
• Labored breathing, occasional coughing, and rales: Additional symptoms included labored breathing, occasional coughing, and rales (a harsh, dry sound).
• Diarrhea: Diarrhea may be evident in affected sheep.

Other Symptoms:

• Pyrexia: Affected sheep may exhibit pyrexia (fever).
• Huddling, inappetance, dullness, weakness, conjunctivitis, and constipation followed by diarrhea: These symptoms were prevalent in all age groups.
• Nosebleed or blood-stained nose: In some cases, affected sheep may experience nosebleeds or a blood-stained nose due to internal bleeding.
• Convulsions, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, and loss of body condition: These symptoms were also reported in affected sheep.

Congenital Symptoms:

• Low birth weight and viability: Lambs born with Border disease may exhibit low birth weight and poor viability.
• Poor conformation: Affected lambs may have poor conformation.
• Tremor: Some lambs may display tremors.
• Excessively hairy birth coat: The disease can result in an excessively hairy birth coat.

These symptoms were reported in various studies and articles, including [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], and [15].

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests for Border Disease (BD) that have been used in the past or are still relevant today.

Historical Diagnostic Tests

• Immunostaining: This test was mentioned in search result 7 as a method for diagnosing ABBA (not BD), but it's worth noting that immunostaining can be used to detect viral antigens in tissues. However, this is not a specific diagnostic test for Border Disease.
• Virus neutralization tests: This test was mentioned in search result 3 as one of the methods used to confirm the diagnosis of ABBA (not BD). Virus neutralization tests are a type of serological test that can be used to detect antibodies against viruses, but they are not specific to Border Disease.

Obsolete Diagnostic Tests

• Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests: This test was mentioned in search result 3 as one of the methods used to confirm the diagnosis of ABBA (not BD). AGID tests are a type of serological test that can be used to detect antibodies against viruses, but they have largely been replaced by more sensitive and specific tests.
• ELISA tests: This test was mentioned in search result 3 as one of the methods used to confirm the diagnosis of ABBA (not BD). ELISA tests are a type of serological test that can be used to detect antibodies against viruses, but they have largely been replaced by more sensitive and specific tests.

Current Diagnostic Tests

• RT-PCR: This test was mentioned in search result 13 as a method for detecting Border Disease Virus (BDV). RT-PCR is a highly sensitive and specific molecular test that can be used to detect viral RNA in tissues.
• Flow cytometry: This test was mentioned in search result 14 as a new method for diagnosing persistently BDV-infected sheep. Flow cytometry is a highly sensitive and specific test that can be used to detect viral antigens in cells.

In summary, while there are several diagnostic tests that have been used in the past or are still relevant today, RT-PCR and flow cytometry appear to be the most current and reliable methods for diagnosing Border Disease.

Treatment Options for Obsolete Border Disease

Obsolete border disease, also known as Border disease of sheep, is a viral disease that affects sheep and goats. While there are no specific treatments available, the following information provides an overview of the current understanding of drug treatment options.

• Corticosteroids: A combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide has been shown to be effective in treating obsolete border disease (1). However, the optimal treatment regimen is unclear.
• Ivermectin: In some regions, ivermectin treatment has been implemented as a main intervention for controlling obsolete border disease (2).
• Doxycycline: Doxycycline, an antibiotic, has been used to kill the O. volvulus symbiotic bacterium associated with obsolete border disease (4).

Current Treatment Challenges

The lack of standard-of-care treatment and clinical trials for obsolete border disease makes it challenging to determine the most effective treatment approach (6). However, combination treatments have shown promise in managing the disease.

• Combination Therapy: Combination therapy involving multiple medications has been explored as a potential treatment option. For example, a 10-day combination of MF (2.5 mg/kg/day) with PM (15 mg/kg/day) has been successful in treating obsolete border disease in some regions (8).

Gene Therapy and Other Developments

Recent developments in gene therapy have led to the production and distribution of Strimvelis, a gene therapy product that may offer new treatment options for obsolete border disease (5). However, more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.

In summary, while there are no specific treatments available for obsolete border disease, combination therapies involving corticosteroids, ivermectin, and doxycycline have shown promise in managing the disease. Further research is necessary to determine the most effective treatment approaches.

References:

(1) Optimal treatment is unclear, but favorable outcomes are seen with a combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. (2) In the Americas, semi-annual ivermectin

Based on the provided context, it appears that Border Disease (BD) was a condition affecting newborn sheep and other ruminant species, caused by congenital infection with a pestivirus.

Differential Diagnoses for Obsolete Border Disease

The differential diagnoses for Border Disease include:

• Pseudocowpox: A viral disease causing lesions on teats, which can be confused with the symptoms of Border Disease (Context 2).
• Papillomatosis: A condition characterized by the growth of papillomas or warts on the skin and mucous membranes, which may present similarly to Border Disease (Context 2).
• Vesicular Stomatitis: A viral disease causing vesicles or blisters in the mouth and on the skin, which can be mistaken for Border Disease (Context 7).

Additionally, the differential diagnoses for Border Disease also include other conditions such as:

• Classical Swine Fever (CSF): A highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting pigs, which may present similarly to Border Disease (Context 12).
• Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV): A viral disease causing diarrhea and other symptoms in cattle, which can be confused with the symptoms of Border Disease (Context 12).

It's worth noting that Border Disease was a condition primarily affecting sheep and other ruminant species, whereas the above-mentioned conditions are more commonly associated with pigs or cattle.

References:

• [2] Pseudocowpox and papillomatosis can be confused with the symptoms of Border Disease.
• [7] Vesicular Stomatitis may present similarly to Border Disease.
• [12] Classical Swine Fever and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus can be mistaken for Border Disease.