A survey of contagious ecthyma and molecular characterization of Orf virus in sheep and goats in Nigeria (2014-2016).

Background: Outbreaks of contagious ecthyma (CE) are frequently reported in sheep and goat flocks in Nigeria with severe clinical outcomes. CE is a debilitating and economically important disease primarily affecting sheep and goats caused by the Orf virus (ORFV). Despite field reports of CE in the country, there is no concise country-wide epidemiological data on the disease and limited genetic data of circulating Nigerian ORFV are available in the public domain. Aim: An epidemiological survey of CE and molecular characterization of ORFV circulating in Nigeria from 2014 to 2016. Method: Data were collected using designed questionnaires, administered to veterinarians and farmers in selected States of Nigeria. Samples were collected during passive surveillance for CE from 2014 to 2016 which were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The A32L and B2L genes of circulating ORFV were also characterized. Results: Analysis of the questionnaire showed that 69.54% (n = 82/118) of the farmers claimed to have experienced CE in their flocks with average morbidity and mortality rates of 25% and 15%, respectively. A total of 113 veterinarians participated in the study, with 69.9% (n = 79) familiar with CE and claimed CE causes morbidity rates of 25%-37% and mortality rates of 10%-15% in sheep and goats. Laboratory results revealed that ORFV was detected in 72% (18/25) of outbreak samples analyzed by real-time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of A32L and B2L genes revealed that Nigerian ORFV sequences belong to clusters I and II and are similar to viruses from India, Ethiopia, and China. Conclusions: This study is the first nationwide epidemiological data on the status of CE in sheep and goats in Nigeria. It is also the first report of molecular characterization of two genes of ORFV circulating and causing outbreaks in small ruminants in the country. This study showed that CE is under-reported, widespread and of economic importance to sheep and goat farmers in Nigeria.

First report of camel contagious ecthyma in Nigeria.

Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) is a viral disease of camelids that is caused by a Parapoxvirus (PPV) which is a DNA virus of the viral family: Poxviridae. Diseases affecting camels in Nigeria are scarcely reported. CCE or the laboratory detection of camel PPV (CPPV) has not been reported in Nigeria. This study investigated and described the clinical presentation of CCE and molecular detection of CPPV in Nigeria. Suspected cases of CCE were reported in a farm, live animal market and abattoir, in three different states (Bauchi, Plateau and Zamfara) in Northern Nigeria. Skin scabs, lungs, liver and intestine samples were collected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using the primers which targets the RPO30 gene fragment of the genus PPV. The clinical signs observed from the suspected cases of CCE were proliferative skin lesions, papules, scabs on the lips and nares. CPPV was detected in 80.0% (4/5) of the samples collected by PCR. CCE was diagnosed based on clinical signs and PCR results. This is the first report of CCE in Nigeria. Further studies should be carried out to genetically characterize the CPPV circulating in Nigeria.