Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
SaiKumar G, Ramani Pushpa RN and Supriya AR

Abstract:
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral illness that mostly affects the cattle. Trade limitations result from the disease's prevalence in a region, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which classifies it as a disease that must be reported. Given the economic, public health and social implications of LSD, it is essential to prioritize its characterization molecularly to safeguard the livestock. In the current investigation, a total of 79 samples (36 skin scabs, 21 nasal swabs, 18 blood samples and 4 faecal samples) from 52 clinically infected animals in different regions of Andhra Pradesh (AP) were collected. All these samples were used for the detection of Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the p32 envelope protein gene (LSDV074) and LSD specific fusion gene (LSDV117). Out of 36 skin scabs 32 samples (88.89%), 7 out of 21 nasal samples (33.33%) and 1 out of 4 faecal samples (25%) were found positive for capripox generic PCR. LSDV specific fusion (F) gene was detected in 27 skin scabs (75%), 3 nasal swabs (14.29%) and 1 faecal sample (25%). All the blood samples were found negative for both genes. The genomic region of F gene (LSDV117) from six field isolates representing different regions of Andhra Pradesh was sequenced and the phylogenetic analysis revealed that some of the isolates were similar to Kenya, KSGP 0240 strain, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu strains whereas remaining isolates were clustered separately. Further the virus was isolated in primary lamb testicular cells (PLT) with characteristic cytopathic effect (CPE) produced in the first blind passage and confirmed by PCR targeting the fusion gene.