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Maedi-Visna Virus Infection In A Merino Lamb With Nervous Signs, Ahmet Akkoç, Meri̇ç Kocatürk, Ayli̇n Alasonyalilar Demi̇rer, Sezgi̇n Şentürk, Giacomo Renzoni, Silvia Preziuso

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

A Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) infection was diagnosed in a 10-month-old lamb from a Turkish flock. The animal suddenly showed nervous signs and died within 2 days. At necropsy, different pulmonary and nervous lesions were observed. A Coenurus cerebralis cyst was also present in the right-brain hemisphere. Severe nonpurulent meningoencephalitis and lymphoproliferative pneumonia were detected by histopathology. MVV proviral DNA was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples collected from the brain and the lungs. This unusual report in a young animal confirms that not only adult sheep but also lambs can develop MVV disease. The hypothesis …