Van Schalkwyk, AntoinetteKara, Pravesh DeepakLast, Robert D.Romito, MarcoWallace, David Brian2024-04-182024-04-182024-01Van Schalkwyk, A.; Kara, P.; Last, R.D.; Romito, M.; Wallace, D.B. Detection and Genome Sequencing of Lumpy Skin Disease Viruses in Wildlife Game Species in South Africa. Viruses 2024, 16, 172. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16020172.1999-4915 (online)10.3390/v16020172http://hdl.handle.net/2263/95645DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Sequences of assembled and annotated genomes are available at GenBank under the accessions: OR644282 to OR644284.Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) has recently undergone rapid spread, now being reported from more than 80 countries, affecting predominantly cattle and to a lesser extent, water buffalo. This poxvirus was previously considered to be highly host-range restricted. However, there is an increasing number of published reports on the detection of the virus from different game animal species. The virus has not only been shown to infect a wide range of game species under experimental conditions, but has also been naturally detected in oryx, giraffe, camels and gazelle. In addition, clinical lumpy skin disease has previously been described in springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), an African antelope species, in South Africa. This report describes the characterization of lumpy skin disease virus belonging to cluster 1.2, from field samples from springbok, impala (Aepyceros melampus) and a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in South Africa using PCR, Sanger and whole genome sequencing. Most of these samples were submitted from wild animals in nature reserves or game parks, indicating that the disease is not restricted to captive-bred animals on game farms or zoological gardens. The potential role of wildlife species in the transmission and maintenance of LSDV is further discussed and requires continuing investigation, as the virus and disease may pose a serious threat to endangered species.en© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)Impala (Aepyceros melampus)Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)South Africa (SA)Complete genome sequencingPhylogeneticsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle