RPO30 Gene based PCR for Detection and Differentiation of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus and Sheep Poxvirus Field and Vaccinal Strains

Research Abstract

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and sheep poxvirus (SPPV) are Capripoxviruses that are considered as an emerging hazard to cattle, sheep and goat. Diseases caused by capripoxviruses are transboundary in nature and are regularly spread into neighboring, non-endemic regions with significant economic implication. Capripoxvirus isolates are extremely conserved with genome identities of at least 96% between SPPV, GTPV and LSDV. The LSDV is similar in antigenicity and in cultural characteristics to SPPV. The current study was delineated to identify capripoxviruses from different clinical samples and differentiate capripoxviruses without the need of gene sequencing. A total of 16 lumpy skin disease clinical samples (skin nodules, scabs, buffy coat, lymph aspirate and engorged ticks) and three sheep pox biopsy skin samples were subjected to DNA extraction followed by 30 kDa RNA polymerase subunit gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (RPO30) together with tissue culture-adapted cattle LSDV/Ismailyia88 strain and two Sheep poxvirus vaccinal strains as control. LSDV yield amplicon differed in length by 21 nucleotides from those produced from SPPV either field or vaccinal strain. Among different LSD clinical samples, skin nodules and scabs are proved excellent sample material as they yield clear DNA bands that reflect the high concentrations of the virus. The results of the current study confirm the suitability of RP030 gene in differentiation of lumpy skin disease virus and sheep poxvirus in a single PCR assay without the necessity of post processing steps.

Research Keywords

Capripoxviruses, LSDV, PCR, RP030 gene, SPPV