Oxidative stress, serum metabolites, inflammatory cytokine changes associated with lumpy skin disease in cattle

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) causes varying degrees of morbidity and mortality in cattle, ranging from sub-clinical infection to severe clinical disease. The present study investigates the dynamic changes in oxidative stress markers, serum metabolites, and inflammatory cytokines in LSD-affected cattle. Forty Frieswal bulls aged between 3.5 and 6 years were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised twenty animals with clinical disease confirmed positive by PCR, while Group 2 consisted of twenty healthy animals.

The animals in group 1 exhibited symptoms such as fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, and lymphadenopathy. The samples were collected once from control and at regular intervals from infected group for analysis. Significant changes in certain serum metabolites were observed in infected animals as compared to the healthy control group. A significant rise in oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines viz. TNF-α, IL-10, Interferon-γ, and IL-6 were observed post-infection, along with a decrease in antioxidant levels, indicating heightened immune response and tissue damage. These changes persisted throughout the study period, highlighting the systemic effects of LSD infection.

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of LSD infection can help in devising suitable anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory interventions and strategies to mitigate tissue damage, bolster the host immune response, and effectively manage LSD outbreaks in cattle.