Ferret Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE), commonly referred to as "green slime disease," is a highly contagious viral enteric disease of domestic ferrets caused by ferret enteric coronavirus (FRECV). First identified in 1993 on the East Coast of the United States, ECE rapidly spread throughout North America and internationally via the pet trade. This disease represents one of the most clinically significant infectious conditions affecting ferrets and is frequently tested on the NAVLE examination.

ECE is characterized by high morbidity (approaching 100%) but relatively low mortality (less than 5%) in otherwise healthy ferrets. However, mortality significantly increases in older ferrets and those with concurrent diseases such as insulinoma, adrenal disease, or lymphoma.

Etiology

Causative Agent

Ferret enteric coronavirus (FRECV) is a Group 1 alphacoronavirus belonging to the family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales. The virus is a large, enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus approximately 120 nm in diameter. FRECV is phylogenetically most closely related to feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), canine coronavirus (CCoV), and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) of swine.