Lumpy Skin Virus; Herpesviridae Inevitable Synergism

Abstract

Samia Ahmed Kama

Background: Lumpy skin virus (spp. Capripox) causes huge economic losses in farm animals. Herpesviridae spp. always showing synergistic role and worsen the disease symptoms. Negative staining of Transmission Electron Microscope techniques used in diagnosis to confirm the results for avoiding differential diagnosis doubts.

Materials and Methods: Samples of Cutaneous crusts collected from infected cattle were tested by TEM and PCR (Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction) then sequenced by ORF103 gene.

Results: My study investigated LSD outbreak of non-vaccinated cattle. The confirmed diagnosis was outbreak of infection by Lumpy skin disease virus isolate Evros / GR/15 and 99% identity. A comparison of the gene sequence of the vaccine against the virus showed significant divergence between them. Electron microscopy reveals Lumpy skin viruses in variable functional forms. Herpes viruses were seen in close contact with the clusters of capripox virions which indicating the active co-infection. As a result, confections in same affected animals with the capripoxvirus spp. resulting in the appearance of the classical skin lesions of this disease (lumpy skin).

Conclusions: LSD virus of cattle showed virulent nature in natural outbreak. However, the herpes viruses invade infected tissues and propagate inside cells of lumps that revealed its opportunistic behavior. Consequently; Antivirals against Herpesviridae would theoretically relief lumpy skin disease symptoms and help in control efforts.

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