Majid Ezatkhah - Department of Research and Technology, Kerman branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
Hamid-reza Varshovi - Department of Animal Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
Mehrdad Shamsaddini Bafti - Kerman branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
Maryam Amini - Kerman branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran
Mojtaba Alimolaei - Department of Research and Technology, Kerman branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran

Introduction and Objectives: Sheeppox virus (SPV) is belongs to Poxviridae family, Chordopaxvirinae sub-family, and capripoxvirus genus. SPV is an endemic disease in Iran and has very important role in agricultural economy. It is included in the notifiable diseases of Office International des Epizooties (OIE). The purpose of this study was molecular identification of SPV in Kerman province of Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of forty-five biopsy samples from skin lesions of sheep suspected to SPV were collected from different districts of Kerman province. A previous developed capripoxvirus specific PCR assay was applied to identify the P32 gene encoding capripoxvirus immunodominant antigen to identify SPV.Results: Eleven samples (24.44%) were shown positive results for 390bp fragment of P32 gene. Spatially, the disease was recorded in 8 out of 20 districts. Conclusions: Our results revealed that SPV is endemic and dispersed in Kerman province of Iran. Hence, ring vaccination should be undertaken for a period of two to three years, to try to eradicate the SPV. The study also highlights high sensitivity of this PCR in detection of SPV.

Sheeppox virus, PCR, P32 gene, Kerman, Iran