Experimental Rinderpest in Goats.

Abstract

The study of the virus of rinderpest has been rendered difficult because of the lack of a suitable experimental animal. The virus of rinderpest is pathogenic for cattle, carabaos, hogs, boars, sheep, goats and camels. With the exception of goats and sheep the other susceptible animals are either too expensive to use for experimental purposes or are unobtainable. That goats are susceptible to the virus of rinderpest has been shown by Kolle and Turner 1 and by Topacio. 2 In the Philippines where rinderpest has a high incidence among cattle it is possible to obtain goats in large numbers and they are even less expensive than rabbits. As a rule the mortality in goats from this disease is very low. This animal, however, manifests very definite symptoms of the disease. These symptoms consist of a gradual rise in temperature reaching a maximum of 40.2 degrees C. to 40.8 degrees C. on the 5th or 6th day. About this time the animal develops a diarrhoea which persists for some time while the temperature gradually returns to normal if the animal is to recover. Meanwhile the animal eats little or refuses to eat at all and there may be considerable loss in weight. Occasionally under experimental conditions a goat succumbs to the infection. The rule, however, is for the animal to recover.

In searching for an experimental animal in which to study the virus of rinderpest we have attempted to infect chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and monkeys. All of these animals were found to be immune to the virus. Regardless of the quantity of virus administered and of the route of inoculation (subdural, intravenous, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes were tried) there were no reactions whatsoever. As much as 100 cc. of virus infected carabao blood has been given to monkeys without producing any manifestations of the disease. Rabbits have received as much as 20 cc. of virus intravenously without any indication of infection.