Cutaneous neoformations associated with coinfection by Orf virus and Orthopoxvirus in goats in Sicily

Parapoxvirus - ORF virus (ORFV) is the etiological agent of contagious ecthyma, a severe zoonotic exanthematic disease that affects small ruminants. It is usually characterized by highly infectious pustules and papillomatous lesions on the skin of the lips, tongue, and around the mouth. In more severe cases, the skin of the eyes, feet, vulva or udder may also be affected. Orthopoxvirus has been sometimes associated with naturally spreading disease in domestic and wild animals. Parapoxvirus infection can be complicate by opportunistic agents, mainly Fusiformis necrophorus, Dermatophilus congolensis or be invaded by the larvae of flies. Little is reported on co-infection with other viruses. The authors describe pathological and microbiological data of a coinfection by ORFV and Orthopoxvirus in a flock of 140 cross-bread goats living with sheep and cattle.