article · BMC Veterinary Research
Lumpy skin disease is an endemic viral infection affecting cattle in Uganda, causing substantial economic harm through permanent skin damage. An investigation into outbreaks occurring between 2017 and 2018 analysed 23 clinical cattle specimens, comprising seven blood samples and 16 skin nodule biopsies. Testing via polymerase chain reaction confirmed lumpy skin disease virus in 15 of the samples. Subsequent sequencing of the viral GPCR gene confirmed diagnostic virus signatures and identified a unique 12 base-pair deletion distinguishing the Ugandan outbreak strains from standard vaccine strains. Phylogenetic assessment established that the detected viruses grouped closely with strains from neighbouring East African countries as well as recent European outbreaks. The analysis also showed greater genetic diversity among African strains compared to those in Eurasia, providing molecular epidemiological data to assist national livestock disease management.
Lumpy skin disease causes permanent hide damage in cattle, creating severe economic losses for livestock farmers. Identifying the specific viral strains responsible for regional outbreaks helps veterinary authorities track transmission across borders. Furthermore, understanding the genetic differences between circulating field strains and existing vaccines is vital for evaluating vaccine efficacy and designing effective disease control programmes.
This work represents early-stage epidemiological research. The genetic distinction identified between local outbreak strains and vaccine strains could assist diagnostic developers in creating tests that differentiate infected from vaccinated animals, as well as veterinary vaccine manufacturers targeting regional variants. The immediate beneficiaries are government veterinary authorities and surveillance laboratories, though commercial applications such as updated vaccines or field diagnostic kits remain at an early research stage.
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BACKGROUND: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by a Capripoxvirus. LSD has substantial economic implications, with infection resulting in permanent damage to the skin of affected animals which lowers their commercial value. In Uganda, LSD is endemic and cases of the disease are frequently reported to government authorities. This study was undertaken to molecularly characterize lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) strains that have been circulating in Uganda between 2017 and 2018. Secondly, the study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relatedness of Ugandan LSDV sequences with published sequences, available in GenBank. RESULTS: A total of 7 blood samples and 16 skin nodule biopsies were screened for LSDV using PCR to confirm presence of LSDV nucleic acids. PCR positive samples were then characterised by amplifying the GPCR gene. These amplified genes were sequenced and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Out of the 23 samples analysed, 15 were positive for LSDV by PCR (65.2%). The LSDV GPCR sequences analysed contained the unique signatures of LSDV (A11, T12, T34, S99, and P199) which further confirmed their identity. Sequence comparison with vaccine strains revealed a 12 bp deletion unique to Ugandan outbreak strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the LSDV sequences from this study clustered closely with sequences from neighboring East African countries and with LSDV strains from recent outbreaks in Europe. It was noted that the sequence diversity amongst LSDV strains from Africa was higher than diversity from Eurasia. CONCLUSION: The LSDV strains circulating in Uganda were closely related with sequences from neighboring African countries and from Eurasia. Comparison of the GPCR gene showed that outbreak strains differed from vaccine strains. This information is necessary to understand LSDV molecular epidemiology and to contribute knowledge towards the development of control strategies by the Government of Uganda.
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DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02288-5
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