Congenital bovine epitheliogenesis imperfecta: a report of three cases from Iran.

Abstract

Epitheliogenesis imperfecta is a recessive hereditary condition characterized by the congenital missing of epithelium on the skin and oral mucosa. These lesions vary in size and location but usually consist of irregular patches of discontinuity of hair and squamous epithelium of skin usually on the distal extremities. Affected calves may also have patchy missing epithelium in the oral mucosa and tongue. The defect is usually incompatible with life. In this report, clinical, gross and histopathogical findings of epitheliogenesis imperfecta were described in two neonatal calves and one stillborn calf. Absence of epithelium over extensive areas of limbs, muzzle, nostrils, tongue, hard palate, cheeks and esophagus were among the remarkable findings.