Molecular epidemiological analysis of lumpy skin disease virus isolates from recent outbreaks in India

Introduction Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is an emerging transboundary pathogen causing severe economic losses in cattle. Continuous molecular surveillance is essential to understand the evolution and spread of circulating strains in India. Methods Clinical samples, including nasal swabs, blood, and tissue specimens, were collected from suspected cattle during the 2025 outbreaks in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Samples were screened using the p32 gene PCR, virus isolation, followed by GPCR gene amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Results LSDV was detected in 33/40 of the samples. Nasal swabs showed the highest diagnostic sensitivity (95%), followed by tissue biopsies (82%). GPCR -based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 2025 isolates formed a highly homogeneous clade closely related to the 2022 Haryana strain and distinct from earlier Indian and vaccine-associated lineages. Conserved amino acid substitutions (P34T and P61T) were identified in all isolates. Discussion The study demonstrates the circulation of a genetically stable yet evolving LSDV lineage in India and highlights the importance of targeted diagnostics and continuous genomic surveillance for effective outbreak monitoring and disease control.