A total number of 38 clinical specimens of skin lesions from diseased
animals (17 cattle and 21 sheep) of both sex and of different ages
were investigated for lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and sheep pox
virus (ShPV). Bovine samples obtained from (Shubra Shehab station,
Qalubia Governorate) with 60% morbidity and 8% mortality especially
in young animals. The clinical examination revealed the presence of
nodules found most numerous on head and neck of the animal and
may cover whole body with some eruption of skin nodules. Ovine
samples obtained from sheep housed in (Sakha station, Kafr El-sheikh
Governorate) with 70% morbidity and 20% mortality especially in
kids 3-4 month old. The affected sheep was suffering from papules
with hard swelling may covered by fluid filled vesicles in axilla and
perineum region with enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. The
two viruses were successfully isolated on ECE and tissue culture and
identified using agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), fluorescent antibody
technique and virus neutralization test (VNT) with sensitivity of 42.2%,
71.1% and 65.8% respectively. The two viruses were differentiated
using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) with speciesspecific
primers for LSDV and ShPV of different amplicon sizes about
192 bp and 289 bp respectively with high specificity and sensitivity
with speed and do not require nucleotide sequencing or restriction
analysis of PCR products. Therefore MPCR shown to be the method of
choice for differentiation between some Capripox virus isolates and
diagnosis directly from clinical specimens.