Polymerase Chain Reaction for Differentiation Between Some Capripox Virus Isolates

Abstract

A total number of 38 clinical specimens of skin lesions from diseased animals (17 cattle and 21 sheep) of both sex and of different ages were investigated for lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and sheep pox virus (ShPV). Bovine samples obtained from (Shubra Shehab station, Qalubia Governorate) with 60% morbidity and 8% mortality especially in young animals. The clinical examination revealed the presence of nodules found most numerous on head and neck of the animal and may cover whole body with some eruption of skin nodules. Ovine samples obtained from sheep housed in (Sakha station, Kafr El-sheikh Governorate) with 70% morbidity and 20% mortality especially in kids 3-4 month old. The affected sheep was suffering from papules with hard swelling may covered by fluid filled vesicles in axilla and perineum region with enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. The two viruses were successfully isolated on ECE and tissue culture and identified using agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), fluorescent antibody technique and virus neutralization test (VNT) with sensitivity of 42.2%, 71.1% and 65.8% respectively. The two viruses were differentiated using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) with speciesspecific primers for LSDV and ShPV of different amplicon sizes about 192 bp and 289 bp respectively with high specificity and sensitivity with speed and do not require nucleotide sequencing or restriction analysis of PCR products. Therefore MPCR shown to be the method of choice for differentiation between some Capripox virus isolates and diagnosis directly from clinical specimens.