Persistence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Farm Animals in Upper Egypt (Sohag) in Relation to Its Antibody Response

Abstract

Foot and mouth disease was first animal disease to be attributed to a vmts and the second virus to be discovered. Fl\IDV belongs to the picomaviridec, a family of small RNA containing virus. The family consists of four genera including the Aphthoviruses which are classified into seven immunologically distinct serotypes: A, 0, C, Asia 1, SATl, SAT2 and SAT3, more than 65 subtypes and many antigenic variants.

Fl\IDV causes an economically devastating disease, affecting up to

70 species of eventoed ungulates, both domesticated and wild. The most common route of infection is via the respiratory tract through inhalation of air born virus, infection via elementary tract is also possible. It may be transmitted to human by contact or ingestion.

In man Fl\ID is characterized by fever, salivation and vesiculation of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx and of the skin of the palms, sole fingers and toes.

In animals, clinically the disease develops in 2-14 days after infection depending on the virus dose, strain and site of entry. It characterized by lamness, anorexia, pyrexia, salivation, reduced milk