Immune and biochemical evaluation of a live attenuated lumpy skin disease vaccine in cattle

Vaccination remains one of the most effective strategies to control infectious diseases in cattle, and early immune response evaluation is essential for understanding initial vaccine-induced immune activation.

This study aimed to evaluate hematological and biochemical parameters, cytokine expression, including Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and antibody titers in cattle following administration of a live attenuated Neethling lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) vaccine.

Cattle were divided into two groups: i) 14 healthy, unvaccinated cattle (control group) and ii) 21 cattle vaccinated subcutaneously with the Neethling LSDV vaccine. Hematological and biochemical profiles, cytokine gene expression, and LSDV-specific antibody titers were measured 14 days after vaccination.

Vaccinated cattle showed significantly higher lymphocyte counts and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels than unvaccinated controls (p < 0.05). IFN-γ gene expression was upregulated 1.9-fold in vaccinated cattle (p < 0.05). LSDV-specific antibody titers were significantly higher in vaccinated cattle; however, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay sample-to-positive (S/P) values remained below the diagnostic cutoff value at 14 days post-vaccination.

Our results indicate that 14 days after vaccination, cattle exhibit increased lymphocyte activity and IFN-γ expression, consistent with an early cellular immune response, although elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels may reflect mild physiological stress associated with early vaccine response.