Hematological and biochemical studies of lumpy skin disease virus infection in cattle

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a highly infectious viral disease of cattle is presented with characteristic skin nodules covering the entire body. The erythrogram of the infected animals revealed a significant decrease in red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet count, and a significant increase in mean corpuscular volume when compared to healthy control. The leukogram results revealed leukocytosis predominantly lymphocytosis characteristic of late viral infection. The results of the biochemical analysis showed hypoalbuminemia, and hypoproteinemia, however, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase were all significantly increased. The results of the study revealed that LSDV infection modifies hematological and biochemical markers, these findings may help to devise a rapid and efficient way to detect and diagnose LSDV infection.