Host immune response to lumpy skin disease virus.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a significant transboundary cattle pathogen causing economic losses and welfare concerns globally.
• The virus disseminates through lymph and blood, leading to characteristic skin lesions and vasculitis.
• Current understanding of host-LSDV interactions and immune evasion mechanisms is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on LSDV pathogenesis and the host-virus immune interface.
• To highlight recent advances and identify critical knowledge gaps.
• To emphasize the need for improved diagnostics, vaccines, and control strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on LSDV.
• Analysis of transcriptomic data related to host immune responses.
• Synthesis of information on innate and adaptive immunity against LSDV.

Main Results:

• LSDV infection involves complex innate and adaptive immune responses, including T-cell mediated IFN-γ and neutralizing antibodies.
• Virally encoded proteins interfere with innate immunity, and host factors influence disease severity.
• Protective immunity correlates and in vivo immune evasion mechanisms remain poorly defined.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of the host-LSDV immune interface is essential for developing targeted antivirals and next-generation vaccines.
• Current vaccines offer protection but lack DIVA compatibility, necessitating new platforms.
• Further research is critical for improving disease control, selective breeding, and global outbreak preparedness.