Detection and differentiation of sheeppox virus and goatpox virus from clinical samples using 30 kDa RNA polymerase subunit (RPO30) gene based PCR

Aim: To detect and differentiate Capripox virus (sheeppox virus and goatpox virus) infections by using 30 kDa RNA polymerase subunit (RPO30) gene based PCR. Materials and Methods: Two capripox viruses' viz., sheep pox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) from clinical samples of different outbreaks were detected and differentiated using capri pox virus (CaPVs) genotyping PCR targeting the CaPV RPO30 gene. By using the above PCR assay, a total of 54 scab samples from pox disease outbreaks occurred in goats (n=21) and sheep (n=33) were screened. Results: Out of 54 clinical samples, 43 [17 out of 21 (80.95%) goat scabs and 26 out of 33 sheep (78.78%)] were found positive for capripox virus infection. All positive samples yielded expected amplicon sizes of 172 bp for goatpox virus and 152 bp for sheep pox virus. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that RPO30 gene based PCR assay could be used for molecular epidemiology of capripox virus infection and differentiation of causative agent viz., sheep pox virus and goatpox virus.