Epidemiological exploration of fleas and molecular identification of flea-borne viruses in Egyptian small ruminants.

The study aimed to investigate molecularly the presence of flea-borne viruses in infested small ruminants with fleas. It was carried out in Egypt's Northern West Coast (NWC) and South Sinai Governorate (SSG). Three specific primers were used targeting genes, ORF103 (for Capripoxvirus and Lumpy skin disease virus), NS3 (for Bluetongue virus), and Rdrp (for Coronavirus), followed by gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The results revealed that 78.94% of sheep and 65.63% of goats were infested in the NWC area, whereas 49.76% of sheep and 77.8% of goats were infested in the SSG region. Sheep were preferable hosts for flea infestations (58.9%) to goats (41.1%) in the two studied areas. Sex and age of the animals had no effects on the infestation rate (p > 0.05). The season and site of infestation on animals were significantly different between the two areas (p < 0.05). Ctenocephalides felis predominated in NWC and Ctenocephalides canis in SSG, and males of both flea species were more prevalent than females. Molecular analysis of flea DNA revealed the presence of Capripoxvirus in all tested samples, while other viral infections were absent. Gene sequencing identified three isolates as sheeppox viruses, and one as goatpox virus. The findings suggest that Capripoxvirus is adapted to fleas and may be transmitted to animals through infestation. This underscores the need for ongoing surveillance of other pathogens in different regions of Egypt.

The complete genome sequence of Indian sheeppox vaccine virus and comparative analysis with other capripoxviruses.

Sheeppox virus (SPPV) is responsible for a significant economic loss to sheep husbandry in enzootic regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia including the Indian subcontinent. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of SPPV vaccine strain SPPV-Srin38/00 from India determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina technology. The attenuated Srinagar vaccine strain of SPPV (SPPV-Srin38/00) was developed by serial passaging the virus initially in lamb testes (LT) cells followed by Vero cell line. The SPPV-Srin38/00 virus has a genome size of 150, 103 bp, which encodes for 147 functional putative genes and consists of a central coding region flanked by two identical 2353 bp inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on complete genome sequences of Capripoxviruses formed three distinct groups each for SPPV, GTPV, and LSDV with clustering of SPPV-Srin38/00 strain with SPPV-A strain. Nine ORFs of SPPV-Srin38/00 namely SPPV-Srin_002/SPPV-Srin_155, SPPV-Srin_004/SPPV-Srin_153, SPPV-Srin_009, SPPV-Srin_013, SPPV-Srin_026, SPPV-Srin_132, and SPPV-Srin_136 were found to be fragmented as compared to LSDV, whereas only one ORF (such as SPPV-Srin_136) was found to be fragmented as compared to GTPV. SPPV genomes, including the SPPV-Srin38/00 strain, shared 99.78-99.98% intraspecies nucleotide identity, indicating that SPPV strains have extremely low genetic diversity. The strain shared 96.80-97.08% and 97.11-97.61% nt identity with GTPV and LSDV strains, respectively. Its ORFs 016, 021, 022, 130 and 138 are the least identical ORFs among three species of the genus Capripoxvirus with 72.5-93% aa identity to GTPV and LSDV strains and may be potentially used for differentiation of CaPV species. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology and evolution of capripoxviruses as well as the development of specific detection methods, better expression vectors, and vaccines with improved safety and efficacy.

Molecular phylogenetics of a recently isolated goat pox virus from Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: After a decade of silence, an outbreak of the contagious and Asian endemic disease, goat pox re-emerged in North Vietnam affecting more than 1800 heads with a mortality rate of 6.5%. The inevitable impact of goat pox on hide quality, breeding, chevon and milk production has resulted in a significant economic losses to the developing goat industry of Vietnam. In the act of establishing an effective control of this devastating disease, tracing the source of re-emergence via a phylogenetic study was carried out to reveal their genetic relatedness. Either skin scab or papule from the six affected provinces were collected, cultured into Vero cells followed by restricted enzyme digestion of targeted P32 gene DNA encoding. The P32 gene was then cloned and transformed into E.coli competent cells for further sequencing. RESULTS: The isolated sequence is deposited into GenBank under Accession No. MN317561/VNUAGTP1. The phylogenetic tree revealed high similarity of nucleotide and amino acid sequences to references goat pox strains accounting for 99.6 and 99.3, respectively. The Vietnamese strain is clustered together with currently circulating goat pox virus in China, India and Pakistan which suggested the origin of South China. CONCLUSIONS: This Vietnam isolate is clustered together with other Asian goat pox strains indicating the dissemination of a common goat pox virus within this continent.

Experimental Infection and Genetic Characterization of Two Different Capripox Virus Isolates in Small Ruminants.

Capripox viruses, with their members "lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)", "goatpox virus (GTPV)" and "sheeppox virus (SPPV)", are described as the most serious pox diseases of production animals. A GTPV isolate and a SPPV isolate were sequenced in a combined approach using nanopore MinION sequencing to obtain long reads and Illumina high throughput sequencing for short precise reads to gain full-length high-quality genome sequences. Concomitantly, sheep and goats were inoculated with SPPV and GTPV strains, respectively. During the animal trial, varying infection routes were compared: a combined intravenous and subcutaneous infection, an only intranasal infection, and the contact infection between naïve and inoculated animals. Sheep inoculated with SPPV showed no clinical signs, only a very small number of genome-positive samples and a low-level antibody reaction. In contrast, all GTPV inoculated or in-contact goats developed severe clinical signs with high viral genome loads observed in all tested matrices. Furthermore, seroconversion was detected in nearly all goats and no differences concerning the severity of the disease depending on the inoculation route were observed. Conclusively, the employed SPPV strain has the properties of an attenuated vaccine strain, consistent with the genetic data, whereas the GTPV strain represents a highly virulent field strain.

Comparative analysis of ankyrin (ANK) genes of five capripoxviruses isolate strains from Xinjiang province in China.

BACKGROUND: Sheeppox and goatpox are both economically important animal diseases in which pathogens are goatpox virus (GTPV) and sheeppox virus (SPPV). They can't cause cross-species infection between sheep and goats in general. But in recent decades, the infection of sheep by goatpox or goats by sheeppox has been reported. The literature has indicated that the occurrence of these cases has a significant and direct relationship with mutations of ankyrin genes families (ANK genes 010,138,140,141.2,145) located in two-terminal regions of capripoxvirus genomes. So it is very important to decipher these nucleotides and their coding amino acid sequences of the five genes regarded as host range and virulence factors for effective prevention and control of capripoxvirus diseases. METHODS: In this study, all the ankyrin genes of three goatpox virus, two sheeppox virus, and one GTPV vaccine strains from Nanjiang areas of Xinjiang province of China during 2010-2011 were collected, amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequence of every ankyrin genes has been compared with not only sequences from six viruses but also all sequences from three species of capripoxvirus genus from Gene bank, and every ANK gene's mutated nucleotides and amino acids have been screened, and the relationship of genetic evolution among different virus strains has been analyzed, as well as the domain architecture of these genes was forecasted and analyzed. RESULTS: The six capripoxvirus strains can be well-distinguished GTPV and SPPV based on five ANK genes' sequence identicalness except for GTPV-SS strain, which showed higher identicalness with SPPV. The ANK gene sequence of the GTPV-SS strain was 100% identical with SPPV-M1 (ANK138,140,145) and SPPV-M2 (ANK138,145), respectively. Phylogenetically, these six capripoxvirus strains were also grouped into the same cluster of India reference strains in lineages and showed extreme identical conservative or variable regions with India capripoxvirus isolates by sequence alignment. Moreover, for the functional domains, these ANK genes of capripoxvirus except for ANK gene 145, are identical in size, and ANK genes 145 of SPPV are usually 100 bp (approximately 30 aa) longer than those of GTPV and eventually form a PRANC domain at C-terminus. CONCLUSIONS: The isolated strain of GTPV-SS may be a cross-species infection or the collected material was contaminated, and the inferred Capripox outbreak in Xinjiang in 2010 can be introduced from India. ANK genes 138,140,141.2 and 145 of capripoxvirus can be used as the target genes to identify GTPV and SPPV. Moreover, the four ANK genes determining the host range are more significant than the ANK gene 010. These ANK genes play combining roles for their function.

Molecular phylogeny of Capripoxviruses based on major immunodominant protein (P32) reveals circulation of host specific sheeppox and goatpox viruses in small ruminants of India.

Sheeppox and goatpox are highly contagious viral diseases of small ruminants causing severe economic losses to the livestock farmers. The disease is enzootic in Asia including India, Middle East and African countries. In the present study, a total of 28 isolates from twenty five sheeppox and goatpox disease outbreaks were phylogenetically analyzed based on P32 gene/protein along with homology modeling and docking using heparan sulfate and UDP-glucose. Three distinct lineage-specific clusters as per their host origin were recorded. Multiple sequence analysis of P32 gene revealed that genetically similar sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) strains are circulating in India. Phylogenetically, Lumpy skin disease (LSDV) and SPPV had a closer genetic relationship than GTPV. Comparative sequence alignment indicated conservation of various motifs such as glycosaminoglycan (GAG), chemokine like motif (CX3C) and Asp-Glu-any other residue-Asp (D/ExD), as well as viral specific signature residues in SPPV and GTPV isolates. Structurally, P32 protein of SPPV and GTPV with mixed α helices and ß sheets resembled with crystal structure of homologue vaccinia virus H3L protein. Docking studies in P32 protein of SPPV and GTPV revealed conserved binding pattern with heparan sulfate which is involved in the virus attachment and varied glycosyltransferase fold with UDP-glucose. These findings may help in development of suitable vaccines/diagnostics and therapeutics against capripoxviruses.

Experimental evaluation of the cross-protection between Sheeppox and bovine Lumpy skin vaccines.

The Capripoxvirus genus includes three agents: Sheeppox virus, Goatpox virus and Lumpy skin disease virus. Related diseases are of economic importance and present a major constraint to animals and animal products trade in addition to mortality and morbidity. Attenuated vaccines against these diseases are available, but afforded cross-protection is controversial in each specie. In this study, groups of sheep, goats and cattle were vaccinated with Romania SPPV vaccine and challenged with corresponding virulent strains. Sheep and cattle were also vaccinated with Neethling LSDV vaccine and challenged with both virulent SPPV and LSDV strains. Animals were monitored by clinical observation, rectal temperature as well as serological response. The study showed that sheep and goats vaccinated with Romania SPPV vaccine were fully protected against challenge with virulent SPPV and GTPV strains, respectively. However, small ruminants vaccinated with LSDV Neethling vaccine showed only partial protection against challenge with virulent SPPV strain. Cattle showed also only partial protection when vaccinated with Romania SPPV and were fully protected with Neethling LSDV vaccine. This study showed that SPPV and GTPV vaccines are closely related with cross-protection, while LSDV protects only cattle against the corresponding disease, which suggests that vaccination against LSDV should be carried out with homologous strain.

Goatpox virus (G20-LKV) vaccine strain elicits a protective response in cattle against lumpy skin disease at challenge with lumpy skin disease virulent field strain in a comparative study.

In this comparative study, we examine the safety of the sheeppox (SPP) and goatpox (GTP) vaccines and the protective response of these vaccines in cattle against a virulent lumpy skin disease (LSD) field strain. The vaccine safety was tested in rabbits, mice and cattle using ten times recommended dose. In the safety trial, none of the vaccinated animals showed any deviation from physiological norms or fever, inappetence or local/ generalized skin reactions. In the challenge trial, both SPP and GTP vaccine groups developed virus-neutralizing antibodies with an average titre of 2.1 log2 at 21 days post-vaccination. No significant difference in seroconversion was found in cattle vaccinated with SPP and GTP vaccines (P ≥ 0.05). When challenged with a virulent LSD field strain, one animal vaccinated with the SPP Niskhi vaccine strain showed typical LSD skin lesions at the injection sites of different dilutions of the challenge virus. All animals vaccinated with GTP G20-LKV vaccine strain showed full protection. After infection with the challenge virus, unvaccinated fully susceptible control cattle showed characteristic clinical signs of LSD. The average protective index for SPP and GTP vaccine groups was 5.3 ± 1.42 and 5.9 ± 0.00, respectively.

Genetic studies of terminal regions of vaccine and field isolates of capripoxviruses.

Sheeppox and goatpox are two of the most important diseases associated with significant economic loss and impact on animal trade. In spite of the use of vaccines, outbreaks are being reported on several occasions. Therefore, deciphering the host specificity and virulence of sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) is important in developing effective vaccines. It is opined that genes located in the terminal regions play a major role in determining host range and/or virulence. In the present study, nine isolates (6 GTPV and 3 SPPV; included both vaccine and virulent viruses) were genetically characterized by targeting 11 genes (7 host-range and 4 virulence genes) which are located in the terminal regions of capripoxviruses. In the genetic analyses, it was observed that there are several nucleotide and amino acid signatures which are specific for either SPPV or GTPV. However, surprisingly, none of the 11 genes could be able to differentiate the vaccine and field viruses of GTPV and SPPV. Our study indicates that the genes of the terminal regions may have a role in determining the host-specificity but the involvemet in determinatin of virulence/attenuation is not certain at least for the isolates used in the current study. Therefore, it is likely that some other genes located in terminal/central regions may also play a role in determination of virulence and pathogenesis which needs to be confirmed by whole-genome sequencing of several vaccine and virulent viruses.

An HRM Assay to Differentiate Sheeppox Virus Vaccine Strains from Sheeppox Virus Field Isolates and other Capripoxvirus Species.

Sheep poxvirus (SPPV), goat poxvirus (GTPV) and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) affect small ruminants and cattle causing sheeppox (SPP), goatpox (GTP) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) respectively. In endemic areas, vaccination with live attenuated vaccines derived from SPPV, GTPV or LSDV provides protection from SPP and GTP. As live poxviruses may cause adverse reactions in vaccinated animals, it is imperative to develop new diagnostic tools for the differentiation of SPPV field strains from attenuated vaccine strains. Within the capripoxvirus (CaPV) homolog of the variola virus B22R gene, we identified a unique region in SPPV vaccines with two deletions of 21 and 27 nucleotides and developed a High-Resolution Melting (HRM)-based assay. The HRM assay produces four distinct melting peaks, enabling the differentiation between SPPV vaccines, SPPV field isolates, GTPV and LSDV. This HRM assay is sensitive, specific, and provides a cost-effective means for the detection and classification of CaPVs and the differentiation of SPPV vaccines from SPPV field isolates.

VARV B22R homologue as phylogenetic marker gene for Capripoxvirus classification and divergence time dating.

Sheeppox disease is associated with significant losses in sheep production world over. The sheep pox virus, the goatpox virus, and the lumpy skin disease virus cannot be distinguished by conventional serological tests. Identification of these pathogens needs molecular methods. In this study, seven genes viz. EEV maturation protein-F12L, Virion protein-D3R, RNA polymerase subunit-A5R, Virion core protein-A10L, EEV glycoprotein-A33R, VARV B22R homologue, and Kelch like protein-A55R that cover the start, middle, and end of the genome were selected. These genes were amplified from Roumanian-Fanar vaccine strain and Jaipur virulent strain, cloned, and sequenced. On analysis with the available database sequences, VARV B22R homologue was identified as a marker for phylogenetic reconstruction for classifying the sheeppox viruses of the ungulates. Further, divergence time dating with VARV B22R gene accurately predicted the sheeppox disease outbreak involving Jaipur virulent strain.

A gel-based PCR method to differentiate sheeppox virus field isolates from vaccine strains.

BACKGROUND: Sheeppox (SPP) and goatpox (GTP) caused by sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV), respectively of the genus Capripoxvirus in the family Poxviridae, are severely afflicting small ruminants' production systems in Africa and Asia. In endemic areas, SPP and GTP are controlled using vaccination with live attenuated vaccines derived from SPPV, GTPV or Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). Sometimes outbreaks occur following vaccination. In order to successfully control the spread of the virus, it is essential to identify whether the animals were infected by the field strain and the vaccine did not provide sufficient protection. Alternatively, in some cases the vaccine strain may cause adverse reactions in vaccinated animals or in rare occasions, re-gain virulence. Thus, diagnostic tools for differentiation of virulent strains from attenuated vaccine strains of the virus are needed. The aim of this study was to identify an appropriate diagnostic target region in the capripoxvirus genome by comparing the genomic sequences of SPPV field isolates with those of the most widely used SPP vaccine strains. RESULTS: A unique 84 base pair nucleotide deletion located between the DNA ligase gene and the VARV B22R homologue gene was found only in SPPV vaccines derived from the Romanian and Yugoslavian RM/65 strains and absent in SPPV field isolates originated from various geographical locations of Asia and Africa. In addition, we developed and evaluated a conventional PCR assay, exploiting the targeted intergenic region to differentiate SPPV vaccine virus from field isolates. The assay produced an amplicon size of 218 bp for the vaccine strains, while the SPPV field isolates resulted in a 302 bp PCR fragment. The assay showed good sensitivity and specificity, and the results were in full agreement with the sequencing data of the PCR amplicons. CONCLUSION: The developed assay is an improvement of currently existing diagnostic tools and, when combined with a capripox virus species-specific assay, will enhance SPP and GTP diagnosis and surveillance and facilitate epidemiological investigations in countries using live attenuated SPP vaccines. In addition, for laboratories with limited resources, the assay provides a simple and cost-effective alternative for sequencing.

Genetic analysis of L1R myristoylated protein of Capripoxviruses reveals structural homogeneity among poxviruses.

Sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) are members of the genus Capripoxvirus (CaPV) of the family Poxviridae. CaPVs are responsible for important contagious diseases of small ruminants that are enzootic to the Indian sub-continent, Central and Northern Africa and the Middle East. In the present study, the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the L1R gene of sixteen CaPV isolates (seven SPPV and nine GTPV) from India were performed along with 3D homology modeling of the L1R protein. L1R is a myristoylated protein responsible for virion assembly and being present on intracellular mature virion (IMV) surface, it is also a potent target for eliciting neutralizing antibodies. Sequence analysis of CaPV L1R gene revealed an ORF of 738bp with >99% and >96% identity within species and between species, respectively, at both nucleotide as well as amino acid levels. Phylogenetic analysis displayed distinct clusters of members of genus Capripoxvirus, as GTPV, SPPV and LSDV. L1R at the protein level showed various species-specific signature residues that may be useful for future grouping or genotyping of CaPV members. CaPV L1R was predicted to possess myristoylation motif GAAASIQTTVNTLNEKI and a potential N-glycosylation site at amino acid residue 50 (Asn). Despite of different host specificity in poxviruses, comparative sequence analysis of L1R proteins revealed highly conserved nature with presence of myristoylation motif (GXXXS) and six cysteine residues forming three disulfide bonds among all poxviruses. The conserved and immunogenic nature of the CaPV L1R gene may prove to be a potential candidate/target for developing molecular diagnostics including recombinant protein based assays and prophylactics for the control of CaPV diseases in tropical countries like India.

Development of duplex PCR for differential detection of goatpox and sheeppox viruses.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, sheeppox and goatpox have the same symptoms and cannot be distinguished serologically. A cheaper and easy method for differential diagnosis is important in control of this disease in endemic region. METHODS: A duplex PCR assay was developed for the specific differential detection of Goatpox virus (GTPV) and Sheeppox virus (SPPV), using two sets of primers based on viral E10R gene and RPO132 gene. RESULTS: Nucleic acid electrophoresis results showed that SPPV-positive samples appear two bands, and GTPV-positive samples only one stripe. There were no cross-reactions with nucleic acids extracted from other pathogens including foot-and-mouth disease virus, Orf virus. The duplex PCR assay developed can specially detect SPPV or GTPV present in samples (n = 135) collected from suspected cases of Capripox. CONCLUSIONS: The duplex PCR assay developed is a specific and sensitive method for the differential diagnosis of GTPV and SPPV infection, with the potential to be standardized as a detection method for Capripox in endemic areas.

Molecular detection and analysis of Sheeppox and Orf viruses isolated from sheep from Qalubia, Egypt.

In this study an outbreak with Sheeppox virus (SPPV) and Orf virus (ORFV) in one sheep herd in the Qalubia province, Egypt, was investigated. Both, SPPV and ORFV caused clinically manifest infections among sheep. The affected sheep showed skin lesions around the mouth or all over the body. Therefore, reliable diagnosis should confirm the aetiology of the infection and then reduce spread of the diseases in the affected areas. Clinical samples were investigated by virus isolation, PCR and real-time PCR assays. Furthermore, PCR-products of SPPV and ORFV isolates were sequenced and alignment to reference isolates was performed for phylogenetic analyses. The laboratory diagnosis showed that real-time PCR assay was more accurate and sensitive than conventional PCR and virus isolation. In phylogenetic analysis of the A29L gene genetic differences between SPPV field strains were not observed and the strains showed 100% homology with two SPPV isolates from Kazakhstan and one isolate from Turkey. The ORFV field strains are in the P55 gene genetically distinct from another and from other published isolates from Egypt 2006 and 2009.

Detection and characterization of atypical capripoxviruses among small ruminants in India.

Recent developments in molecular biology shed light on cross-species transmission of SPPV and GTPV. The present study was planned to characterize the capripoxviruses which were circulating in the field condition among sheep and goats using RPO30 gene-based viral lineage (SPPV/GTPV) differentiating PCR and sequencing of RPO30 and GPCR genes from clinical samples. Out of 58 scabs (35 sheep and 23 goats) screened, 27 sheep and 18 goat scabs were found positive for capripox virus infections. With the exception of one sheep and one goat scabs, all the positive samples yielded amplicon size according to host origin, i.e. SPPV in sheep and GTPV in goats. In the above two exceptional cases, goat scab and sheep scab yielded amplicon size as that of SPPV and GTPV, respectively. Further, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of complete ORFs of RPO30 and GPCR genes from six sheep and three goat scabs revealed that with the exception of above two samples, all had host-specific signatures and clustered according to their host origin. In case of cross-species infecting samples, sheep scab possessed GTPV-like signatures and goat scab possessed SPPV-like signatures. Our study identifies the circulation of cross-infecting SPPV and GTPV in the field and warrants the development of single-strain vaccine which can protect the animals from both sheeppox and goatpox diseases.

Phylogenetic analysis of Gansu sheeppox virus isolates based on P32, GPCR, and RPO30 genes.

Two outbreaks of sheeppox in sheep have occurred in Gansu Province, China. The P32, GPCR, and RPO30 genes were used as markers for differential diagnosis. We confirmed that the outbreaks were caused by sheeppox virus. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the P32, GPCR, and RPO30 genes revealed a close relationship between the 2 isolates and Chinese sheeppox viruses. Because ill sheep were imported from Jingyuan, another county of Gansu Province, our results strongly suggest the importance of veterinary surveillance prior to transportation.

Genetic diversity of fusion gene (ORF 117), an analogue of vaccinia virus A27L gene of capripox virus isolates.

The fusion gene (ORF 117) sequences of twelve (n = 12) capripox virus isolates namely sheeppox (SPPV) and goatpox (GTPV) viruses from India were demonstrated for their genetic and phylogenetic relationship among them. All the isolates were confirmed for their identity by routine PCR before targeting ORF 117 gene for sequence analysis. The designed primers specifically amplified ORF 117 gene as 447 bp fragment from total genomic DNA extracted from all the isolates. Sequence analysis revealed a significant percentage of identity among GTPV, SPPV and between them at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. The topology of the phylogenetic tree revealed that three distinct clusters corresponding to SPPV, GTPV and lumpy skin disease virus was formed. However, SPPV Pune/08 and SPPV Roumanian Fanar isolates were clustered into GTPV group as these two isolates showed a 100 and 99.3 % identity with GTPV isolates of India at nt and aa levels, respectively. Protein secondary structure and 3D view was predicted and found that it has high antigenic index and surface probability with low hydrophobicity, and it can be targeted for expression and its evaluation to explore its diagnostic potential in epidemiological investigation in future.

Complete genome sequence analysis of goatpox virus isolated from China shows high variation.

Goatpox virus (GTPV), a member of the Capripoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, is the causative agent of variolo caprina (goatpox). GTPV can cause significant economic losses of domestic ruminants in endemic regions and can threaten breeding stocks. In this study, we report on the compilation of the complete genomic sequence of an isolated GTPV field strain FZ (GTPV_FZ). The 150,194bp GTPV genome consists of a central coding region bounded by two identical 2301bp inverted terminal repeats and contains 151 putative genes. Comparative genomic analysis reveals the apparent genetic relationships among Capripoxviruses are close, but sufficient genomic variants in the field isolate strain FZ have been identified to distinguish it from other GTPV strains and other Capripoxvirus species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the p32 and complete GTPV genome can be used to differentiate SPPVs, GTPVs and LSDVs. These data may contribute to the epidemiological study of the Chinese capripoxvirus and help to develop more specific detection methods to distinguish GTPVs, SPPVs and LSDVs.

Characterization of sheep pox virus vaccine for cattle against lumpy skin disease virus.

Lumpy skin disease is of significant economic impact for the cattle industry in Africa. The disease is currently spreading aggressively in the Near East, posing a threat of incursion to Europe and Asia. Due to cross-protection within the Capripoxvirus genus, sheep pox virus (SPPV) vaccines have been widely used for cattle against lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). In the Middle East and the Horn of Africa these vaccines have been associated with incomplete protection and adverse reactions in cattle post-vaccination. The present study confirms that the real identity of the commonly used Kenyan sheep and goat pox vaccine virus (KSGP) O-240 is not SPPV but is actually LSDV. The low level attenuation of this virus is likely to be not sufficient for safe use in cattle, causing clinical disease in vaccinated animals. In addition, Isiolo and Kedong goat pox strains, capable of infecting sheep, goats and cattle are identified for potential use as broad-spectrum vaccine candidates against all capripox diseases.