Specialized Preclinical Research Service for Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Treatment Development & Diagnostic Method

Overview

Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) belongs to the Capripoxvirus genus, which contains both Sheep Pox and Goat Pox viruses. The disease affects cattle and spreads through insect vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies. LSDV triggers lumpy skin disease (LSD), which manifests as skin nodules alongside fever and occasionally systemic symptoms, including lymphadenopathy and eye discharge. The disease produces substantial economic losses because it reduces milk production levels and animal growth rates while sometimes causing death. LSD remains endemic in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, while the transfer of the disease to other regions represents a major threat to global livestock operations. The virus mainly attacks skin and subcutaneous tissues, resulting in inflammation and lump development. The respiratory and digestive systems can be affected by this condition. LSDV causes visible symptoms and reduces reproductive efficiency, which results in decreased fertility among affected animals. LSD does not usually result in death, but its ability to harm livestock health requires strong prevention and control methods, including vaccination and vector management. Creative Biolabs specializes in preclinical research services for viral diseases with a focus on LSDV. We provide virus isolation services along with animal model development and immune response assessment, and vaccine evaluation to generate essential data for creating effective therapeutic and prevention strategies.

Fig.1 Nodular lesions of LSD affected calf (a) and cow (b).¹

Accelerated Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Preclinical Research Services

• For Therapeutics Development

In Vitro Antiviral Efficacy Assays

• Cytotoxicity Assays: To evaluate the toxicity of candidate compounds on cultured cells, ensuring they are not harmful at therapeutic concentrations. Examples include MTT, MTS, or LDH assays.
• Viral Load Measurement: Quantification of viral RNA or protein expression to assess the impact of a drug on viral replication. PCR, qPCR, and ELISA are common techniques.
• Plaque Reduction Assay: Measures the ability of a therapeutic to reduce the size or number of viral plaques in infected cell monolayers.
• Inhibition of Virus Entry: Tests for compounds that can block the virus from entering host cells by using flow cytometry or microscopy to assess viral binding and entry inhibition.

In Vivo Efficacy Studies (Animal Models)

• Animal Model Selection: Choosing the right animal species that can effectively mimic LSDV infection. Bovine models (cattle) are often used because LSDV primarily infects livestock.
• Dose-Response Studies: These studies evaluate the therapeutic effect at various doses of the drug. They help determine the optimal dosing schedule.
• Clinical Symptom Monitoring: The development of clinical signs such as fever, lesions, and other disease symptoms is monitored over time to assess the impact of treatment.
• Viral Load Reduction: Similar to in vitro, but in vivo viral titers are measured in blood, skin lesions, or other tissues to determine how effectively the drug reduces viral replication.
• Histopathological Analysis: Tissue samples (e.g., skin lesions, lymph nodes, liver) are analyzed for viral presence, immune response, and tissue damage.

• For Diagnostics Development

Antigen Detection Assays

• Antigen-Capture ELISA: Detects viral antigens present in infected animal tissues or fluids. It's widely used for its sensitivity and ease of use.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Detects viral proteins in tissue samples by using specific antibodies. IHC is particularly useful for confirming LSDV presence in skin lesions or other tissues.
• Western Blotting: A technique for detecting specific viral proteins from a sample. It's not as common as ELISA but can be used for more in-depth analysis of viral proteins.
• Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA): Uses antibodies that are conjugated to fluorescent dyes to detect viral antigens in infected cells or tissues. This can be used on skin biopsy samples.

Nucleic Acid Detection Assays

• Quantitative PCR (qPCR): A more sensitive and quantitative version of PCR that allows for the precise measurement of viral load.
• Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR): For detecting LSDV RNA, which can indicate an active infection.
• Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): A rapid, sensitive, and simple alternative to PCR that can detect LSDV nucleic acids at the point of care, often without the need for specialized equipment.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Used for comprehensive genomic analysis, including full virus sequencing or to identify viral variants.

Antibody Detection Assays (Serology)

• Indirect ELISA: Detects antibodies specific to LSDV by measuring the reaction of animal sera with viral antigens fixed to a solid phase.
• Blocking ELISA: A type of ELISA that can detect antibodies against specific viral proteins (e.g., the capsid protein) and can be more specific than indirect ELISA.
• Western Blot: Identifies specific antibody responses to LSDV proteins by separating viral antigens via gel electrophoresis, followed by blotting and detection with labeled antibodies.
• Virus Neutralization Test (VNT): This assay evaluates the ability of antibodies from an infected animal's serum to neutralize LSDV.

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Products for Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Research

Monoclonal antibodies targeting LSDV function as precise instruments both for virus detection and neutralization. Diagnostic assays and therapeutic development benefit from the use of these tools. The production of LSDV recombinant proteins enables research on viral antigens and host interactions, which helps in creating vaccines and diagnostics. Researchers utilize these proteins as essential tools to study how the immune system reacts to Lumpy Skin Disease Virus.

• Recombinant Lumpy Skin Disease Virus proteins or antigens

• Antibodies against Lumpy Skin Disease Virus proteins

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Applications

• LSDV primarily functions as a research model for exploring viral pathogenesis alongside immunity and host-virus interactions in the Capripoxvirus family.
• LSDV plays an essential role in developing diagnostic methods like PCR assays and serological tests, which enable fast disease detection and monitoring.
• LSDV plays a critical role in vaccine research aimed at developing vaccines that protect cattle populations against disease outbreaks.
• LSDV research offers important knowledge about immunomodulatory effects and viral behavior, which supports antiviral therapy development and livestock health improvement.

Advantages

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