Abstract
Sheep and goat pox (SGP) and orf are economically important
transboundary animal diseases of small ruminants in India. The current
study investigated an outbreak of mixed infection with Goatpox virus
(GTPV) and Orf virus (ORFV) that occurred in an extensive system of goat
rearing. Based on clinical sings and postmortem findings the disease was
preliminary diagnosed as goat pox. The overall morbidity rate of 85.71%
(60/70) was reported. The morbidity rate in young animals (100%; 30/30)
was higher than adults (75%; 30/40). The overall mortality rate
recorded was 40% (28/70), whereas the case fatality rate of 20% and
66.67% in adults and young animals respectively. Preliminary molecular
diagnosis revealed presence of capripoxvirus followed by specific
confirmation as GTPV by PCR-RFLP and sequencing of major envelope
protein gene P32 of CaPV. The ORFV was detected and confirmed by PCR
amplification and sequencing of complete B2L gene from the scab samples
collected from affected goats. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple
sequence analysis of GTPV and ORFV virus isolates from current outbreak
showed highest homology to their respective Indian isolates from
different parts of country. The present study reported co-infection of
GTPV and ORFV in goats, which might have contributed to high morbidity.
Therefore, the outbreak is epidemiologically significant and emphasis
should be given in future for continuous serological/clinical
surveillance of mixed infections in small ruminants’ health management.