Goatpox: A Review

Abstract

Goatpox, a malignant disease of goats, characterized by fever and genendized pocks has been reported from all parts of the world. Although, the disease is generally benigm in adults, recent outbreaks revealed almost 100% morbidity and mortality in kids. The etiologic agent, though had host preference, is indistinguishable from sheeppox virus, hence the name capripox virzts has been suggested to incorporate both the viral agents. The size of virus is 250-28Ox 212-260 nm and external dimensions of a few forms of sheeppox, goatpox and lumpy skin disease viruses do not vary significantly. Majority of the strains are relatively heat resistant and sensitive to ether and chloroforni. The virus can be cultivated in different cell cultures of sheep and goat origin and produce characteristic cytopathic effects. The disease is mainly transmitted by contact. After an incubation period of 8-12 days, generalized lesions are seen more in young animals. The disease can be diagnosed by characteristic pox lesions, demonstration of virus particles by electron microscopy and serological tests like gel diffision, CIE, FAT, ELISA, coagglutinution and capillary agglutination tests. Various inactivated and livc attenuated vaccines have been used with good results but recently a single vaccine effective against sheeppox and goatpox has been evolved.

Capripoxvirus Infections in Ruminants: A Review

“…Sheeppox, goatpox, and lumpy skin disease of cattle result from infection by SPV, GPV, and LSDV which are members of Capripoxvirus genus within Poxviridae family [ 6 ]. Even though they are serologically indistinguishable, they may be differentiated using molecular analysis [ 28 , 34 , 35 ].…”