Role of Phytochemicals in Lumpy Virus Skin Disease

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease, which is caused by lumpy skin disease virus, is among the major health problems affectingthe livestock industry of most African countries. Skin lesions are the major sources of infection; although the virus isevacuated via different body secretions and excretions including semen. Thus, susceptible hosts contract the virusprincipally by mechanical means from hematophagous arthropods, including biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks.Transstadial and transovarial persistence in varies species of ticks is also possible. Following infection,characteristic lumpy skin disease lesions may explode from 7 to 14 days post infection under experimentalconditions whereas in natural cases it takes 2 to 5 weeks. A pronounced socio-economic collapse is driven by reduced quantity and quality of milk, udder infection, thinness, low quality hides, loss of draught power, abortion, infertility, limitation to meat ingestion, higher morbidity, etc. Animals of any age and gender are susceptible to the disease. The morbidity rate varies according to the immune status of animals and frequency of mechanical vectors. Lumpy skin disease is manifested by distinguishing firm,circumscribed, few (mild forms) to multiple (severe forms) skin nodules, which sometimes involve mucousmembranes of respiratory system, urogenital system and other internal organs. Subsequently, milk productionlessen, abortion, temporary or permanent sterility, damage to hide and deaths will occur which further contribute to amomentous economic loss in cattle producing countries. Therefore, large-scale vaccination combined with otherappropriate control measures are the most effective way of limiting the spread and economic impact due to lumpyskin disease. This review is designed with the aim of providing, latest information on the biology of lumpy skindisease virus, mechanism of spread, clinical and pathological features & role of Phytochemicals of lumpy skin disease.