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Special Issue "Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health"

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Published Papers

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 December 2023 | Viewed by 6710

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nick De Regge

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Unit of Exotic Viruses and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
Interests: pseudorabies virus; small ruminant lentiviruses; vector borne diseases; Schmallenberg virus; flaviviruses; virus-vector-host interactions

Dr. Andy Haegeman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Unit of Exotic and Particular Diseases, Scientific Directorate Infectious Diseases in Animals, Sciensano, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium
Interests: foot-and-mouth disease; lumpy skin disease; vaccine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lumpy skin disease, sheeppox, and goatpox are capripox viruses of cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. They are responsible for important direct and indirect economic losses, originating from animal mortality, morbidity, cost of vaccination, and trade restrictions on animals and their products.

Their continuing importance as transboundary animal diseases is evidenced by the ongoing lumpy skin disease virus epidemic in South-East Asia, which seems to be predominated by so-called vaccine-like recombinant strains. These recombinant lumpy skin disease strains behave as wild-type strains and cause outbreaks and clinical disease, thereby negatively impacting the livelihood of poor rural communities. The recent emergence of THRR sheeppox virus in Spain, more than 50 years after its eradication, has an important economic impact, raises questions regarding its route of introduction, and highlights that any country can be confronted with the introduction of such a transboundary disease.

This Special Edition will focus on novel findings improving our knowledge on capripox virus–host interactions and transmission and findings that can help with their control, including diagnostics and vaccines.

Prof. Dr. Nick De Regge
Dr. Andy Haegeman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

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

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Viruses 2023, 15(7), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15071471 - 28 Jun 2023

Viewed by 664

Abstract

Lumpy Skin Disease virus is a poxvirus from the genus Capripox that mainly affects bovines and it causes severe economic losses to livestock holders. The Lumpy Skin Disease virus is currently dispersing in Asia, but little is known about detailed phylogenetic relations between the strains and genome evolution. We reconstructed a whole-genome-sequence (WGS)-based phylogeny and compared it with single-gene-based phylogenies. To study population and spatiotemporal patterns in greater detail, we reconstructed networks. We determined that there are strains from multiple clades within the previously defined cluster 1.2 that correspond with recorded outbreaks across Eurasia and South Asia (Indian subcontinent), while strains from cluster 2.5 spread in Southeast Asia. We concluded that using only a single gene (cheap, fast and easy to routinely use) for sequencing lacks phylogenetic and spatiotemporal resolution and we recommend to create at least one WGS whenever possible. We also found that there are three gene regions, highly variable, across the genome of LSDV. These gene regions are located in the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of the LSDV genome and they encode genes that are involved in immune evasion strategies of the virus. These may provide a starting point to further investigate the evolution of the virus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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Open AccessArticle

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

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Viruses 2023, 15(6), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061285 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 885

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Poxvirus Infections in Dairy Farms and Transhumance Cattle Herds in Nigeria

David Oludare Omoniwa

Adeyinka Jeremy Adedeji

Clement Adebajo Meseko

Pam Dachung Luka

Olayinka Oluwafemi Asala

Jolly Amoche Adole

Rebecca Bitiyong Atai

Yakubu Joel Atuman

Tirumala Bharani Kumar Settypalli

Giovanni Cattoli

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Charles Euloge Lamien

Viruses 2023, 15(5), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15051051 - 25 Apr 2023

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Abstract

Lumpy Skin disease (LSD) is an economically important disease in cattle caused by the LSD virus (LSDV) of the genus Capripoxvirus, while pseudocowpox (PCP) is a widely distributed zoonotic cattle disease caused by the PCP virus (PCPV) of the genus Parapoxvirus. Though both viral pox infections are reportedly present in Nigeria, similarities in their clinical presentation and limited access to laboratories often lead to misdiagnosis in the field. This study investigated suspected LSD outbreaks in organized and transhumance cattle herds in Nigeria in 2020. A total of 42 scab/skin biopsy samples were collected from 16 outbreaks of suspected LSD in five northern States of Nigeria. The samples were analyzed using a high-resolution multiplex melting (HRM) assay to differentiate poxviruses belonging to Orthopoxvirus, Capripoxvirus, and Parapoxvirus genera. LSDV was characterized using four gene segments, namely the RNA polymerase 30 kDa subunit (RPO30), G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) glycoprotein and CaPV homolog of the variola virus B22R. Likewise, the partial B2L gene of PCPV was also analyzed. Nineteen samples (45.2%) were positive according to the HRM assay for LSDV, and five (11.9%) were co-infected with LSDV and PCPV. The multiple sequence alignments of the GPCR, EEV, and B22R showed 100% similarity among the Nigerian LSDV samples, unlike the RPO30 phylogeny, which showed two clusters. Some of the Nigerian LSDVs clustered within LSDV SG II were with commonly circulating LSDV field isolates in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, while the remaining Nigerian LSDVs produced a unique sub-group. The B2L sequences of Nigerian PCPVs were 100% identical and clustered within the PCPV group containing cattle/Reindeer isolates, close to PCPVs from Zambia and Botswana. The results show the diversity of Nigerian LSDV strains. This paper also reports the first documented co-infection of LSDV and PCPV in Nigeria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of a New DIVA Real-Time PCR Allowing to Differentiate Wild-Type Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Strains, Including the Asian Recombinant Strains, from Neethling-Based Vaccine Strains

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Viruses 2023, 15(4), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040870 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1249

Abstract

The current epidemic in Asia, driven by LSDV recombinants, poses difficulties to existing DIVA PCR tests, as these do not differentiate between homologous vaccine strains and the recombinant strains. We, therefore, developed and validated a new duplex real-time PCR capable of differentiating Neethling-based vaccine strains from classical and recombinant wild-type strains that are currently circulating in Asia. The DIVA potential of this new assay, seen in the in silico evaluation, was confirmed on samples from LSDV infected and vaccinated animals and on isolates of LSDV recombinants (n = 12), vaccine (n = 5), and classic wild-type strains (n = 6). No cross-reactivity or a-specificity with other capripox viruses was observed under field conditions in non-capripox viral stocks and negative animals. The high analytical sensitivity is translated into a high diagnostic specificity as more than 70 samples were all correctly detected with Ct values very similar to those of a published first-line pan capripox real-time PCR. Finally, the low inter- and intra-run variability observed shows that the new DIVA PCR is very robust which facilitates its implementation in the lab. All validation parameters that are mentioned above indicate the potential of the newly developed test as a promising diagnostic tool which could help to control the current LSDV epidemic in Asia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Global Burden of Lumpy Skin Disease, Outbreaks, and Future Challenges

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Viruses 2023, 15(9), 1861; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091861 - 31 Aug 2023

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Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a current global concern, causes economic devastation in livestock industries, with cattle and water buffalo reported to have higher morbidity and lower mortality rates. LSD is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Poxviridae family. It is an enzootic, rapidly explorative and sometimes fatal infection, characterized by multiple raised nodules on the skin of infected animals. It was first reported in Zambia in 1929 and is considered endemic in Africa south of the Sahara desert. It has gradually spread beyond Africa into the Middle East, with periodic occurrences in Asian and East European countries. Recently, it has been spreading in most Asian countries including far East Asia and threatens incursion to LSD-free countries. Rapid and accurate diagnostic capabilities, virus identification, vaccine development, vector control, regional and international collaborations and effective biosecurity policies are important for the control, prevention, and eradication of LSD infections. This review critically evaluates the global burden of LSD, the chronological historical outbreaks of LSD, and future directions for collaborative global actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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Other

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Open AccessSystematic Review

Lumpy Skin Disease: A Systematic Review of Mode of Transmission, Risk of Emergence and Risk Entry Pathway

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Viruses 2023, 15(8), 1622; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15081622 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

The spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) to free countries over the last 10 years, particularly countries in Europe, Central and South East Asia, has highlighted the threat of emergence in new areas or re-emergence in countries that achieved eradication. This review aimed to identify studies on LSD epidemiology. A focus was made on hosts, modes of transmission and spread, risks of outbreaks and emergence in new areas. In order to summarize the research progress regarding the epidemiological characteristics of LSD virus over the last 40 years, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines were followed, via two databases, i.e., PubMed (biomedical literature) and Scopus (peer-reviewed literature including scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings). A total of 86 scientific articles were considered and classified according to the type of epidemiological study, i.e., experimental versus observational. The main findings and limitations of the retrieved articles were summarized: buffaloes are the main non-cattle hosts, the main transmission mode is mechanical, i.e., via blood-sucking vectors, and stable flies are the most competent vectors. Vectors are mainly responsible for a short-distance spread, while cattle trade spread the virus over long distances. Furthermore, vaccine-recombinant strains have emerged. In conclusion, controlling animal trade and insects in animal transport trucks are the most appropriate measures to limit or prevent LSD (re)emergence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Capripox Viruses: A Continuing Transboundary Threat to Animal Health)

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