Clinicopathological investigation of an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants in small ruminants in South Gujarat, India

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreaks were recorded in two migratory flocks of small ruminants (goat- 403 and sheep -159) at Rata village (Rata Panjarapol- Rehabitalisation center), Vapi and Vansada (goat-120) in South Gujarat during February-March, 2014. In the affected animals predominant signs included dullness, high fever (105–107UF), anorexia, mucopurulent nasal discharge, lacrimation, stomatitis, congested mucus membrane and diarrhoea along with soiled perianal region and hind quarter. In addition, animals also exhibited respiratory signs like erosive rhinitis, dyspnoea and ulcerative lesions on lips, gum dental pad and part of tongue. Grossly, lungs showed congestion, red hepatisation of cranial and caudal lobes, raised patches of emphysema and haemorrhagic enteritis. Histopathological examination showed mononuclear cell infiltration in lungs and liver. Renal tubular degeneration accompanied by desquamation of lining epithelium, and severe necrotic enteritis was also noticed. Spleen showed depletion of lymphocytes. All 24 sera samples collected were found to be positive for PPRV antibody on cELISA test.