Malignant Catarrhal Fever in a Calf in Espírito Santo State, Brazil: Report of the First Case

Abstract

A case of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is described in a 9-month-old, male, mixed breed calf from Espírito Santo State, southeastern Brazil. MCF had not yet been described in this region. The clinical course was 5 days and clinical signs included proprioceptive deficits, depression, dyspnea, coughing, nasal discharge, and erosive-ulcerative lesions in the oral cavity. Necropsy findings included erosive-ulcerative lesions in the alimentary tract and bronchopneumonia. Histopathological exam revealed widespread lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis associated with fibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls, mainly in the vessels of carotid rete mirabile. The diagnosis of MCF was made based on clinical, necropsy and histological findings.