Understanding Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle from Different Farming Regions

Jenn Hoskins
14th January, 2025

Understanding Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle from Different Farming Regions
Image Source: Mark Stebnicki (photographer)

Key Findings

  • In Punjab, Pakistan, 36.25% of clinically suspected cattle were found to have Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV)
  • Cattle not treated with acaricide, those in poor body condition, and female cattle were at higher risk of LSDV infection
  • The LSDV strains in Punjab were genetically linked to strains from multiple countries, indicating the disease's transboundary nature
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging and highly contagious disease affecting cattle, causing significant economic losses in the dairy, meat, and leather industries. The disease is caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the Capripoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The virus leads to nodular lesions on the skin of infected animals, and its impact is particularly severe in countries like Pakistan, where it has been responsible for substantial economic losses[1]. In a recent study conducted by the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan, researchers aimed to gather epidemiological information on LSD in Punjab, Pakistan, where such data is scarce. The study focused on two agro-ecologically diverse districts, Bhakkar and Jhang. Researchers collected a total of 800 blood samples from clinically suspected cattle with nodular lesions using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The sampling included indigenous, crossbred, and exotic breeds of cattle, with 400 samples collected from each district. The results of the study revealed an overall prevalence of LSDV in clinically suspected cattle using the P32 gene at 36.25% (290 out of 800 samples). This high prevalence rate underscores the widespread distribution of the disease in the study area. The study also identified several risk factors for LSDV infection. Notably, animals that were not treated with acaricide (P = 0.014; OR = 1.459; CI = 1.079-1.972), those with a poor body condition score (emaciated animals; P = 0.019; OR = 1.573; CI = 1.076-2.301), and female cattle (P = 0.016; OR = 1.435; CI = 1.072-1.969) were found to be at significantly higher risk of infection. The phylogenetic analysis conducted in this study revealed that the LSDV isolates from Punjab were genetically linked to strains from Kenya, China, Russia, Egypt, India, Zimbabwe, Iraq, and Iran. This genetic diversity indicates the transboundary nature of the disease and highlights the need for comprehensive control measures. Previous studies have also highlighted the widespread impact of LSD and its economic consequences. For instance, LSD was first reported in India in 2019, where it affected 182 out of 2,539 cattle with an apparent morbidity rate of 7.1%[2]. The study in India also found that the LSDV genome was detected more frequently in scabs than in blood or frozen bull semen, indicating the importance of skin lesions in the transmission of the virus[2]. Similarly, in Pakistan, LSD has been reported to cause a high number of infections and deaths, significantly affecting the country's economic status due to the loss of cattle and decreased milk output[3]. The recent study from Punjab, Pakistan, aligns with previous findings and further emphasizes the need for effective control measures to combat LSD. The identification of significant risk factors such as lack of acaricide treatment and poor body condition provides valuable insights for targeted interventions. Additionally, the genetic diversity observed in the LSDV isolates highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and genetic characterization of the virus to understand its spread and evolution. In conclusion, the study conducted by the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan, provides crucial epidemiological data on LSD in Punjab and identifies key risk factors for infection. The findings underscore the need for further research on the genetic composition of LSDV using variable genetic markers to develop effective control and eradication strategies. By building on previous studies and incorporating new insights, this research contributes to a better understanding of LSD and its impact, paving the way for improved disease management and prevention efforts in Pakistan and beyond.

AgricultureGeneticsAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic insights of lumpy skin disease in cattle from diverse agro-ecological regions of Punjab, Pakistan.

Published 13th January, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315532

Related Studies

2) Lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks in cattle in Odisha state, India in August 2019: Epidemiological features and molecular studies.

https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13579

3) Epidemic of lumpy skin disease in Pakistan.

https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1037


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