# Comparative Clinico‐Haematological Alterations of Lumpy Skin Disease Affected Cattle at Different Ages and Periods of Disease in Bangladesh

## TL;DR

This study examines how lumpy skin disease affects cattle of different ages in Bangladesh, focusing on clinical and blood changes to improve treatment strategies.

## Contribution

The study provides age- and disease-stage-specific clinico-haematological data for LSD-affected cattle in Bangladesh.

## Key findings

- Lumpy skin disease causes significant decreases in red blood cells, hemoglobin, and thrombocytes in affected cattle.
- Younger cattle (under 1 year) show severe immunosuppression and are more vulnerable to LSD fatality.
- Skin nodules are most common in the head and neck region during the early stages of infection.

## Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral pox disease that causes huge economic losses. The disease is in an epidemic situation, and the affected cattle show massive lesions and complexity, which is tough to treat; thus, a study was conducted to investigate the clinico‐haematological alterations of LSD‐affected cattle for adopting better pharmacotherapeutic management.

A total of 36 LSD affected, and 8 healthy/control cattle were examined and used for blood profiling. The control and affected cattle were categorized into four age groups consisting of nine cattle (Group A = under 1 year; Group B = 1 to 2 years; Group C = 2 to 3 years; and Group D = from 4 years up to 10 years) in each group and three disease periods of post infection (prodromal period, period of illness and period of decline) consist of each of 12 LSD affected cattle.

Clinical examination of affected cattle showed 100% cattle (skin nodule of various sizes), 55.55% (lymph node enlargement), 75% (high fever), 13.88% (brisket oedema), 19.44% (limb oedema), 8.33% (ventral abdomen oedema), 5.55% (facial oedema), 19.44% (lameness), 22.22% (respiratory distress), 2.77% (corneal opacity) and 27.78% (salivation and nasal discharge) as clinical signs. Almost all affected cattle showed multiple lesion at the same time, particularly in the last two disease periods. Comparatively, the nodular lesion is much more higher in the limb (33.1%), followed by the head and neck region (23.24%), and then other parts of the body. Haematological analysis reveals a significant decrease in red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC), TLC and thrombocytes. During the illness and decline periods, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased, which is an indication of macrocytic hypochromic anaemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, and indicative of fluid therapy such as blood transfusion. The age group under 1 year is more vulnerable to LSD fatality, as lower levels of TLC, lymphocyte, and monocyte were found, indicating severe immunosuppression.

It is concluded that disease stage‐wise and age‐wise clinico‐haematological studies have provided baseline data of LSD pathogenesis, which is essential to formulate an effective pharmacotherapeutic strategy.

➢ In comparison, more skin nodules found in head and neck region (23.24%) than other parts of body on the 8th day of infection.

➢ Haematological analysis reveals a significant decrease in RBC, Hb, PCV, MCHC, TLC and thrombocytes.

➢ At the illness and decline periods, MCV increased, which is the indication of macrocytic hypochromic anaemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia.

➢ The aged group under one year is more vulnerable to LSD fatality.