Abstract

Evaluation of Antiviral Potential of Ivermection against Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Challenge in Rabbits

Authors: Ayesha Rida, Hafsa and Zahida Riaz

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2024.018

Abstract
Cattle with lumpy skin disease have viral trans boundary infections. It is an illness in cattle, which belongs to the family Poxviridae and genus Capripoxvirus. The transmission of the virus occurs by nasal discharge, milk, saliva or due to contaminated feed and water. There are many attempts to treat viral infection through use of antiviral drugs. Among many antiviral drugs, amantadine, acyclovir, remdesivir and Ivermectin are the common examples. Ivermectin has been used and passes the antiviral activity with minimum side effects. This study's objective is to assess Ivermectin's antiviral effectiveness in treating rabbits infected with the lumpy skin disease virus. For this purpose, samples were collected followed by virus isolation by inoculating in embryonated chicken eggs. The embryonic activity was checked by candling. The fluid was centrifuged to get the virus. Phenol Chloroform Isoamyl Alcohol was the method used for LSDV DNA extraction. PCR was performed along with gel electrophoresis. LD50 value was calculated to check the lethal dose that was sufficient to kill the 50% of the animals. And it was administered in the rabbits for the development of the disease. To check the antiviral potential of the Ivermectin, 4 groups of the rabbits were made. All of them were injected with the virus and were observed until the appearance of signs and symptoms of disease. The signs and symptoms were high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite that was accompanied by loss of weight. Then the first 3 groups were injected with Ivermectin in order of increasing doses. The 4th one with be control group that has only the virus with no treatment. After 3-5 days, the efficacy of Ivermectin was checked by comparing it with control group. The small ones were difficult to deal with because they already have an immuno-compromised state, but the bigger ones recovered at a good rate. It was checked that at which dose the drug was more effective against the lumpy skin disease.

Keywords: Antiviral potential, Ivermection, Lumpy Skin Disease Virus, Rabbits.