Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Local Capripoxvirus From Necropsy Specimens of Sheep Suspected of Sheeppox Infection

Abstract

Capripoxvirus infections including sheeppox virus (SPPV), goatpox virus (GTPV) and lumpy skin diseases virus (LSDV), which are listed by the OIE, are malignant, severe and highly contagious diseases in sheep, goats and cattle. This study reports the identification of a capripoxvirus in necropsy specimens, including skin and lung lesions, lymph nodes, spleen and cotyledon obtained from dead sheep suspected of sheeppox infection. PCR was used to compare its genome with GPPV and SPPV isolates using sequence analysis. PCR demonstrated that all necropsy specimens were positive and nucleotide sequencing of PCR products indicated a close relationship to SPPV.