Pemphigus foliaceus in a Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia )

Pemphigus foliaceus in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune acantholytic skin disease described in humans, dogs, cats, horses, goats, and sheep. From 2003 to 2016, six Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) at the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria, South Africa, developed progressive, bilaterally symmetrical, hyperkeratotic skin lesions and pustules consistent with PF. Lesions were similar to those observed in domestic animals and primarily affected the pinnae, face and nasal planum, distal legs, and tail tip. Histological evaluation of suspect PF skin lesions in affected animals, evaluation of medical records for treatments received, causative agents in the diet and environment, and special stains for infectious organisms yielded no consistent inciting cause. The Arabian oryx is a species highly adapted to arid environments of the desert and has recently survived from a severe genetic bottleneck; both of these factors may have contributed to the development of PF in these animals.

Pemphigus foliaceus in two pet Nigerian Dwarf goats

Two male Nigerian Dwarf pet goats from a group of three living in rural southern Wisconsin, USA, presented at the same time with an eight-month history of pruritus and marked crusting on head, axillae and inguinal regions. Parasite investigations were negative, and there was no response to antiparasitic treatment. Fungal and bacterial cultures did not reveal a cause. Histopathology was consistent with a diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus, and goats were treated with immunosuppressive doses of injectable dexamethasone sodium phosphate. After six weeks of treatment, clinical remission was achieved, and immunosuppressive therapy was continued. Three months later, goat 2 developed presumptive viral pneumonia; necropsy reported presumptive caprine arthritis encephalitis virus. One year into treatment, goat 1 developed similar clinical signs and was euthanased. In goats, pemphigus foliaceus is rare and can be treated using glucocorticoids, but as in other species, chronic immunosuppression increases susceptibility to infections.

Successful treatment of pemphigus foliaceus in a Berrichon du Cher ram with methylprednisolone acetate

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus foliaceus is a severe, autoimmune blistering skin disease, which is described in humans and some animal species. In small ruminants pemphigus foliaceus has rarely been described and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, little information is available about successful treatment in sheep.

AIM

This case report describes a Berrichon du Cher ram with the presumed diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus.

METHODS

The ram was treated with methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg in one subcuticular injection at four week intervals over a one year period, with regular observation of clinical parameters. Four months after treatment was initiated the haematological parameters showed lymphopenia and leukopenia; some enzyme activities were substantially increased.

RESULTS

The ram's dermatological condition improved to the point of complete healing of the affected skin. The ram was discharged in good condition. No adverse effects, except an elevation of some enzymes associated with liver function, were observed. At postmortem examination moderate fatty liver syndrome was the only abnormality found.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This case report demonstrated that long term therapy with methylprednisolone acetate in a sheep with pemphigus foliaceus did not have a negative effect on clinical parameters. Nevertheless, due to the extended statutory withdrawal period resulting from the regular administration of glucocorticoids, such a therapeutic option must be critically assessed in food producing animals.

The eye of the Barbary sheep or aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests, morphologic and biometric observations

The purpose of this study was to describe the normal ocular anatomy and establish reference values for ophthalmic tests in the Barbary sheep or aoudad (Ammotragus lervia). Aoudad eyes are large and laterally positioned in the head with several specialized anatomic features attributed to evolutionary adaptations for grazing. Normal values for commonly used ophthalmic tests were established, Schirmer tear test (STT) - 27.22 ± 3.6 mm/min; Predominant ocular surface bacterial microbiota - Staphylococcus sp.; Corneal esthesiometry- 1.3 ± 0.4 cm; Intraocular pressure by rebound tonometry- 19.47 ± 3.9 mmHg; Corneal thickness- 630.07 ± 20.67 µm, B-mode ultrasonography of the globe-axial eye globe length 29.94 ± 0.96 mm, anterior chamber depth 5.03 ± 0.17 mm, lens thickness 9.4 ± 0.33 mm, vitreous chamber depth 14.1 ± 0.53 mm; Corneal diameter-horizontal corneal diameter 25.05 ± 2.18 mm, vertical corneal diameter 17.95 ± 1.68 mm; Horizontal palpebral fissure length- 34.8 ± 3.12 mm. Knowledge of these normal anatomic variations, biometric findings and normal parameters for ocular diagnostic tests may assist veterinary ophthalmologists in the diagnosis of ocular diseases in this and other similar species.