Evidence of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Transmission from Subclinically Infected Cattle by Stomoxys calcitrans

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a vector-transmitted capripox virus that causes disease in cattle. Stomoxys calcitrans flies are considered to be important vectors as they are able to transmit viruses from cattle with the typical LSDV skin nodules to naive cattle. No conclusive data are, however, available concerning the role of subclinically or preclinically infected cattle in virus transmission. Therefore, an in vivo transmission study with 13 donors, experimentally inoculated with LSDV, and 13 naïve acceptor bulls was performed whereby S. calcitrans flies were fed on either subclinical- or preclinical-infected donor animals. Transmission of LSDV from subclinical donors showing proof of productive virus replication but without formation of skin nodules was demonstrated in two out of five acceptor animals, while no transmission was seen from preclinical donors that developed nodules after Stomoxys calcitrans flies had fed. Interestingly, one of the acceptor animals which became infected developed a subclinical form of the disease. Our results show that subclinical animals can contribute to virus transmission. Therefore, stamping out only clinically diseased LSDV-infected cattle could be insufficient to completely halt the spread and control of the disease.

Subclinical infection caused by a recombinant vaccine-like strain poses high risks of lumpy skin disease virus transmission

“…The present study follows up on the research on recombinant strains detected in Russia and provides further evidence confirming that the RVLSs of LSDV employ alternative mechanisms of transmission in contrast to that of Cluster 1.2 strains. Moreover, this is the first study to report that subclinically affected animals transmit LSDV to animals sharing the same airspace in an insect-proof facility, which is contrary to the findings of Heageman et al ( 41 ). Subclinical infection is a typical manifestation of LSDV, and the efficiency of its control measures is directly linked to the manner whereby virus-carrying animals, regardless of the clinical or subclinical manifestation of the disease in an outbreak zone, are identified and managed ( 22 , 24 , 25 ).…”

“…Furthermore, not only the clinical form of LSDV has gained research interest but also the subclinical manifestation has been recognized as a distinctive characteristic of LSDV ( 41 ). With the recent emergence of recombinant vaccines, such as strains exhibiting transmission without arthropod activity ( 31 , 32 ), efforts have been made to determine the contribution of all forms.…”

Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Genome Sequence Analysis: Putative Spatio-Temporal Epidemiology, Single Gene versus Whole Genome Phylogeny and Genomic Evolution

“…The nodules may occur all over the body and may become necrotic, thus providing a pathway for secondary infections. Importantly, a significant part of the infected animals remains subclinical [ 8 ], but these animals may nevertheless contribute to transmission of the disease [ 9 ]. The morbidity rate ranges from 5 to 45% [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Detection of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Reads in the Human Upper Respiratory Tract Microbiome Requires Further Investigation

“…Arthropod vectors primarily transmit LSDV. Studies have demonstrated that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes 1 , Stomoxys calcitrans 2 , and Haematopota spp . biting flies can mechanically transmit LSDV 3 .…”