Long-term monitoring of immune response to recombinant lumpy skin disease virus in dairy cattle from small-household farms in western Thailand

Abstract Lumpy skin disease (LSD) was firstly reported in Thailand in 2021. It was known that antibody against LSD virus (LSDV) could be detected until 7 months post infection. There was a limited report on immune response of LSDV infection in Thailand where recombinant vaccine strain circulated. The aim of research was to study the duration of LSD immune response of subclinical and clinical animals after natural infection in dairy cattle as well as cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Total 66 dairy cattle from ten farms affected by LSD in central and western regions of Thailand were investigated. Blood and skin nodules were tested by molecular methods. Antibody was detected by serum neutralization test (SNT) and ELISA. CMI was evaluated by gene expressions of cytokines. LSDV genome was detected in blood and skin tissues until 75 and 77 days after symptom. Antibody was detected until at least 15 months after symptom. Subclinical animals had antibody level substantially less than in clinical animals during the studied period. IFNG and TNFa levels were increased, while IL-10 level was decreased in the infected animals compared to the controls. This study elucidated immune response in dairy cattle herd affected by the first recombinant LSDV outbreak in Thailand.