Pathological and molecular characterization of capripox virus outbreak in sheep and goats in Karnataka

Abstract

Sheep and goat pox is viral enzootic disease of small ruminants in India. The present study describes detailed investigation of pox disease outbreak in Karnataka. The outbreak occurred in unvaccinated flocks of sheep and goats with a history of entry of new animals. The clinical signs of typical pox lesions were recorded in less hair/hairless portions of body in both sheep and goats. The post-mortem examination revealed typical gunshot wounds in the lungs of affected animals. The capripox virus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and partial P32 gene sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis showed the present outbreak isolates having a close relationship with other Indian isolates and capripox virus isolates from China. The isolates (Pox/NIVEDI-1 and Pox/NIVEDI-2) in the present study matched 100% to each even though from different flocks suggesting the same virus isolate might have caused the outbreak in both sheep and goats. In conclusion, based on clinical, laboratory and phylogenetic analysis the outbreak was attributed to capripox virus. Continued regular monitoring and vaccination are need of the hour for prevention and control of sheep and goat pox in India.