Steroid‐responsive granulomatous mural folliculitis associated with ovine herpesvirus‐2 in a Pygmy goat

Abstract This case reports a Pygmy goat diagnosed with granulomatous mural folliculitis associated with ovine herpesvirus‐2 infection. Three biopsy samples were collected at different time points throughout the evolution of the disease, which were submitted to histopathology and polymerase chain reaction analyses. Despite the suspected viral aetiology, the goat showed significant clinical improvement with a tapering regimen of immunosuppressive corticosteroids, achieving clinical remission. A progressive reduction in the follicular granulomatous infiltrate and in apoptosis of follicular keratinocytes was observed, while the viral presence persisted. The disease remained controlled with a follow‐up period of 2 years, although a flare occurred after discontinuation of the treatment. The findings suggest that the granulomatous reaction affecting the follicles may be immune‐mediated rather than directly induced by the cytopathic effects of the virus.