Abstract
BackgroundLumpy 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionThe 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.
Highlights
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by a Capripoxvirus
Out of the 23 suspected cases, 15 were confirmed positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (65.2%). These confirmed cases were subjected to a second PCR targeting the Gprotein-coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) gene (Additional file 2), sequenced and the sequences translated to amino acids to confirm presence of unique lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) signature sequences (Fig. 2)
This study presents the first results of molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of lumpy skin disease virus from outbreaks in Uganda, which occurred between 2017 and
Summary
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by a Capripoxvirus. Ochwo et al BMC Veterinary Research (2020) 16:66 in an endemic or non-endemic region [6, 7] These broad ranges of morbidity and mortality are likely owing to genetic differences in livestock breeds resulting in varying susceptibility to disease, variable virulence of viral isolates and varying effectiveness of transmission of insect vectors involved in LSDV transmission [2, 4, 8]. Vaccination against LSD in Uganda is a responsibility of the livestock farmers rather than government This may lead to misuse or abuse of vaccines bringing about co-infection and recombination of vaccine strains with virulent strains [17], resulting in virulent reversal of vaccine strains, which may lead to more outbreaks
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