Foot-and-mouth disease overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Foot-and-mouth disease Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Foot-and-mouth disease from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Foot-and-mouth disease overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Foot-and-mouth disease overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Foot-and-mouth disease overview

on Foot-and-mouth disease overview

Foot-and-mouth disease overview in the news

Blogs on Foot-and-mouth disease overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Foot-and-mouth disease

Risk calculators and risk factors for Foot-and-mouth disease overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD, Latin binomial Aphtae epizooticae) is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cattle and pigs. It can also infect deer, goats, sheep, and other bovids with cloven hooves, as well as elephants, rats, and hedgehogs. Humans are very rarely affected. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the prototypic member of the Aphthovirus genus in the Picornaviridae family. This picornavirus is the etiological agent of the acute systemic vesicular disease that affects cattle and other animals worldwide. It is a highly variable and transmissible virus.[1]

Historical Perspective

The cause of FMD was first shown to be viral in 1897 by Friedrich Loeffler. He passed the blood of an infected animal through a fine porcelain filter and found that the fluid that was collected could still cause the disease in healthy animals.

Pathophysiology

When FMD virus comes in contact with a host cell, it binds to a receptor site and triggers a folding-in of the cell membrane. Once the virus is inside the host cell, its protein coat dissolves. New viral RNA and components of the protein coat are then synthesized in large quantities and assembled to form new viruses. After assembly, the host cell lyses (bursts) and releases the new viruses.

Causes

Foot-and-mouth disease is caused by FMDV, an Aphthovirus of the viral family Picornaviridae. The members of this family are small (25-30 nm), nonenveloped icosahedral viruses that contain single-stranded RNA (ribonucleic acid, the viral genetic material). There are seven FMD serotypes: O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, and Asia-1. These serotypes show some regionality, and the O serotype is most common.

Epidemiology and Demographics

FMD occurs throughout much of the world, and whilst some countries have been free of FMD for some time, its wide host range and rapid spread represent cause for international concern.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

The average incubation period of the Foot and Mouth virus varies but is generally around 3-8 days.[2] The disease is characterized by high fever that declines rapidly after two or three days; blisters inside the mouth that lead to excessive secretion of stringy or foamy saliva and to drooling; and blisters on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness. Adult animals may suffer weight loss from which they do not recover for several months as well as swelling in the testicles of mature males, and in cows, milk production can decline significantly.

References

  1. Martinez-Salas E, Saiz M, Sobrino F (2008). "Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus". Animal Viruses: Molecular Biology. Caister Academic Press. pp. pp. 1-38. ISBN 978-1-904455-22-6.
  2. "Foot and Mouth Symptom Guide". Farmers Weekly. 2007-08-04. Retrieved 2007-08-06. Check date values in: |date= (help)

Template:WH Template:WS