Wildebeest-associated malignant catarrhal fever: perspectives for integrated control of a lymphoproliferative disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Wildebeest-associated malignant catarrhal fever (WA-MCF), an acute lymphoproliferative disease of cattle caused by alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1), remains a significant constraint to cattle production in nomadic pastoralist systems in eastern and southern Africa. The transmission of WA-MCF is dependent on the presence of the wildlife reservoir, i.e. wildebeest, belonging to the species Connochaetes taurinus and Connochaetes gnou; hence, the distribution of WA-MCF is largely restricted to Kenya, Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa, where wildebeest are present. WA-MCF is analogous to sheep-associated MCF (SA-MCF) in many aspects, with the latter having sheep as its reservoir host and a more global distribution, mainly in developed countries with intensive livestock production systems. However, unlike SA-MCF, the geographic seclusion of WA-MCF may have contributed to an apparent neglect in research efforts aimed at increased biological understanding and control of the disease. This review aims to highlight the importance of WA-MCF and the need for intensified research towards measures for its integrated control. We discuss current knowledge on transmission and geographical distribution in eastern and southern Africa and the burden of WA-MCF in affected vulnerable pastoral communities in Africa. Recent findings towards vaccine development and pertinent knowledge gaps for future research efforts on WA-MCF are also considered. Finally, integrated control of WA-MCF based on a logical three-pronged framework is proposed, contextualizing vaccine development, next-generation diagnostics, and diversity studies targeted to the viral pathogen and cattle hosts.

Alcelaphine gammaherpesvirus 1–induced malignant catarrhal fever in a Watusi (Bos taurus africanus) steer in a North American game park

“…Research aimed at the development of MCF vaccines is in progress, and new control methods may become available in the near future. 4,8,14,15,18 Some cases of WA-MCF may be underdiagnosed as a result of a lack of widespread classic vascular histopathologic change, and it should be recognized as a differential diagnosis in potentially exposed ruminants with febrile disease. Newer detection tests allow identification of the MCF viruses involved through confirmation of the presence of specific viral nucleic acid sequences in tissues.…”

Genomic duplication and translocation of reactivation transactivator and bZIP-homolog genes is a conserved event in alcelaphine herpesvirus 1

“…MCF is caused by a sudden infiltration of lymphoblastic, latently infected CD8 + T cells into many tissues, with expression of the ORF73-encoded latency-associated protein being essential for induction of lymphoproliferative lesions56789. The socio-economic impact of MCF has been largely underestimated101112, implying a need for effective, low-cost vaccination strategies. The development of such strategies will depend on a firm understanding of the biology of viral infection.…”

Telecoupling framework for research on migratory species in the Anthropocene

“…Nutrient or seed flow is also seen in many species like we saw with the warbler, as was information about how to manage or conserve the species. New flows also included disease spread (e.g., for wildebeest (Wambua et al, 2016)) or parasite spread (e.g., for Chinook salmon (Claxton et al, 2013)). Both of these flows could also be playing a role in the Kirtland's warbler example, although to our knowledge no research has been done on them yet.…”