Incidence and molecular characterisation of lumpy skin disease virus in Zimbabwe using the P32 gene

Abstract

Between January, 2013 and December, 2014, there was a lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreak that affected cattle in different localities of Zimbabwe. The outbreak resulted in severe economic losses to the livestock industry. A retrospective study was conducted by examining stored veterinary records of the LSD outbreak at the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the 2-year period, a total of 10,038 cases and 880 deaths (8.77 %) were recorded. LSD was reported from all regions of the country, with the highest incidence occurring in Mashonaland West (30.95 %) and Midlands province (14.59 %). The frequency of reported outbreaks was highest in March and April, with the lowest reported cases occurring in November. A total of 25 representative specimens (skin biopsies) were collected from nodular skin lesions of infected cattle, and after viral DNA isolation, the P32 gene was successfully amplified, by using PCR, in 88 % (22/25) of all assayed specimens. Out of the 22 samples that showed amplification, 16 (73 %) were selected for DNA sequencing, and from these, 13 sequences were submitted to GenBank and assigned accession numbers: KX033494, KX033495, KX033496, KX033497, KXO33498, KX033499, KX033500, KX033501, KX033502, KX033503, KX033504, KX033505 and KX033506. Phylogenetic analyses of the 13 sequences was done by using MEGA 7 and showed that the viruses formed two major clusters implying that at least two strains of LSDV are in circulation in Zimbabwe. This study provides the first report on the incidence and molecular characterisation of LSDV in Zimbabwe.

Epidemiological characterization of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Russia in 2016

“…Mafirakureva, Saidi, and Mbanga () reported morbidity of 4.97%–30.95% with mortality rates of 8.77%, whereas in our case, the mean morbidity and mortality were 10 (0.5%–100%) and 0.875 (0%–50%), respectively. In other studies, morbidity and mortality rates were shown to increase up to 30% (Abutarbush et al., ; Şevik & Doğan, ).…”

“…() and Mafirakureva et al. (). Based on these findings, as far as diagnostics is concerned, it is logical to examine a few types of samples, for example nodules and nasal swabs, to maximize the chances of detecting the LSDV genome in suspected animals (Table ).…”

“…In addition, in 2015, the majority of LSD outbreaks also occurred in the summer and autumn (data not shown), which can also suggest an arthropod's role in virus transmission. Moreover, LSD incidence increased during the rainfall season in Zimbabwe, when active breeding and flight of insects are observed (Chihota et al., ; Mafirakureva et al., ). Carn and Kitching () proposed that blood‐feeding insects may play a significant role in LSD spread and epidemiology.…”

A survey of viral diseases of livestock characterized by skin lesions in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

“…Reports by Woods, (1988) and Tuppurainen et al (2013) suggested that insects play a role in the mechanical transmission of LSD. Moreover, studies in South Africa, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria reported that cases of CE and LSD occur more commonly during raining season compared to dry season (Scagliarini et al, 2012;Hailu et al, 2014;Mafirakureva et al, 2016;Adedeji et al, 2018). The common clinical signs of viral skin diseases observed by the farmers were skin nodules, fever, anorexia and weight loss for LSD and GTP.…”

Molecular characterization of lumpy skin disease virus in Namibia, 2017

“…It is possible that the LSDVs identified in Namibia and those in neighbouring South Africa share a common origin, but in order to confirm this, full-genome sequencing and further molecular epidemiological studies in the region are required. A recent characterization of the P32 gene of LSD samples in Zimbabwe identified two genetically distinct viruses circulating in the country [ 7 ]. A similar comparative study should be undertaken for other LSDV isolates collected in southern Africa in order to get a clearer picture of virus circulation at a regional level.…”