Rashid, P. M. A., M. O. Baba Sheikh, Z. H. Raheem & A. S. Marouf, 2017.

Molecular characterisation of lumpy skin disease virus and sheeppox virus based on P32 gene.

Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 20, No 2, 131–140.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and sheeppox virus (SPV) have a considerable economic impact on the cattle and small ruminant industry. They are listed in group A of contagious disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). This study addressed molecular characterisation of first LSDV outbreak and an endemic SPV in Kurdistan region of Iraq based on P32 gene. The results indicated that P32 gene can be successfully used for diagnosis of LSDV. The phylogenic and molecular  analysis showed that there may be a new LSDV isolate circulating in Kurdistan which uniquely shared the same characteristic amino acid sequence with SPV and GPV, leucine at amino acid position 51 in P32 gene as well as few genetically distinct SPV causing pox disease in Kurdistan sheep. This study provided sequence information of P32 gene for several LSDV isolates, which positively affects the epidemiological study of capripoxvirus

Key words: Capripoxvirus, Iraq, LSDV, P32 gene, SPV