Orf virus circulation in cattle in Turkey.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonoses

Background:

• Orf virus (ORFV) primarily affects sheep and goats, with known zoonotic potential.
• Limited information exists regarding ORFV's association with skin diseases in cattle.
• Understanding ORFV in cattle is crucial for disease management and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and confirm outbreaks of skin disease in Turkish cattle.
• To identify the causative agent of proliferative skin lesions in cattle.
• To explore the potential for host species jumping of ORFV.

Main Methods:

• Sample collection (vesicular fluid, scab) from cattle with skin lesions in Turkey.
• Real-time PCR and PCR to detect lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and bovine herpesvirus 2 (BoHV-2).
• PCR targeting the B2L gene for parapoxvirus identification, followed by sequence analysis.

Main Results:

• Parapoxvirus DNA was detected in cattle samples; LSDV and BoHV-2 were not found.
• Sequence analysis of the B2L gene confirmed the presence of Orf virus (ORFV) in cattle.
• ORFV isolates from cattle showed 100% sequence identity with previous Turkish ORFV goat isolates.

Conclusions:

• This study reports the first unusual infection of cattle with Orf virus (ORFV).
• Findings suggest ORFV can cross the host species barrier from goats to cattle.
• This interspecies transmission highlights a potential emerging zoonotic concern.