Related Experiment Videos
The current status of sheep pox disease
V Bhanuprakash1, B K Indrani, M Hosamani
1Division of Virology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, Nainital (District), Uttaranchal 263 138, India. bhanupraaakash@yahoo.co.in
Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|February 7, 2006
Summary
Sheep pox is a significant viral disease impacting sheep productivity and trade. Molecular tools aid in differentiating sheep pox virus from related capripoxviruses, crucial for effective control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Animal Infectious Diseases
- Sheep Husbandry
Background:
- Sheep pox poses substantial economic losses in global sheep farming due to its impact on meat, wool, and skin production.
- Infectious diseases, particularly sheep pox, significantly hinder optimal sheep productivity and restrict international trade of sheep and their products.
- Accurate diagnosis and epidemiological studies are essential for managing sheep pox, as clinical signs alone can be misleading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive, up-to-date review of sheep pox, covering its virology, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control.
- To highlight the importance of laboratory confirmation for unequivocal diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of sheep pox.
- To inform scientific and policy-making communities on effective measures for controlling and eradicating sheep pox.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on sheep pox virus (SPV), including isolation, identification, and characterization.
- Analysis of antigenic and genetic relationships between SPV, goat pox virus (GPV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV).
- Evaluation of molecular tools for differentiating SPV and GPV, addressing cross-infectivity issues in small ruminants.
Main Results:
- Sheep pox virus (SPV) is antigenically and genetically closely related to GPV and LSDV, all belonging to the capripoxvirus genus.
- Cross-infectivity between SPV and GPV in small ruminants complicates diagnosis and epidemiological tracking in some regions.
- Recent molecular studies demonstrate distinct phylogenetic lineages, enabling differentiation of SPV and GPV using molecular techniques.
Conclusions:
- Attenuated vaccines provide long-lasting immunity and are the preferred method for sheep pox prophylaxis and control.
- Molecular differentiation tools are crucial for accurate diagnosis and epidemiological studies of sheep pox, especially where cross-infection occurs.
- A thorough understanding of sheep pox is vital for developing effective control and eradication strategies by policymakers and researchers.