Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A team of Indian scientists, led by Professor Utpal Tatu from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has made significant strides in unravelling the genetic composition of the virus responsible for lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Since May 2022, LSD has caused the deaths of approximately 1,00,000 cattle in India, posing a significant threat to the country's agricultural sector. The research aims to shed light on the origins and evolution of the LSD virus strains.
While LSD has been known since its identification in Zambia in 1931, its emergence in South Asia, particularly India, has been marked by severe outbreaks. Notably, India experienced major outbreaks in 2019 and 2022, affecting millions of cows.
The disease is transmitted through blood-feeding insects like flies and mosquitoes. Infected cattle exhibit symptoms such as fever and skin nodules, which can lead to death, especially in previously unexposed animals.
The team conducted extensive investigations, collecting samples from infected cattle across states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. They utilized advanced whole-genome sequencing techniques to analyse the DNA of the LSD virus.
The study uncovered two distinct variants of LSDV circulating in India. One variant closely resembled strains from previous local outbreaks, while the other exhibited significant genetic variations akin to a strain from a 2015 Russian outbreak.
Analysis revealed over 1,800 genetic variations in the LSD virus, impacting genes crucial for host cell binding, immune response evasion, and replication. These variations likely contributed to the virus's heightened virulence and severe symptoms in infected cattle.
The genomic data gathered serves as a valuable resource for future vaccine development efforts. By targeting molecular hotspots and genetic variations, scientists aim to mitigate the impact of LSD outbreaks on India's cattle population.