RESUMEN
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is one of the most important infectious bovine diseases in Iraq in the last 10 years; however, the current study represents the first investigation to confirm the disease in buffaloes as well as ticks with estimation the association of positivity to clinical vital signs and risk factors. A total of 150 buffaloes were subjected for blood sampling, skin lesions and ticks. All the collected samples; 150 blood, 13 skin lesions, and 29 tick samples, were examined molecularly using the conventional and real-time PCR assays. The total positive results of blood, skin and ticks by conventional PCR were 5.33, 7.69 and 0%, respectively; while for real-time PCR, it was 15.33, 7.69 and, 0%, respectively. Insignificant differences were showed between values of temperature, pulse and respiratory rates of LSD positive and negative buffaloes by the conventional and real-time PCR assays. The association of positive conventional PCR results to risk factors (age, sex and region) was revealed a significant increase in prevalence and risk of LSD in buffaloes aged < 1 year; but for gender, insignificant variation in prevalence but not risk was seen between females and males. In case of different geographical region, significant higher prevalence was reported in Wasit; while, buffaloes of Maysan and Wasit were appeared at higher risk than those of Dhi-Qar. Regarding real-time PCR, insignificant differences were found between values of < 1, 1-4 and > 4-8 years age old, but not in group of >8 that showed a significant decline in positivity (0%). For sex, insignificant variation in prevalence, but not risk, was seen between females and males. Concerning region, buffaloes of Wasit province were recorded a significant higher values of prevalence and risk than other regions. LSD in buffaloes is mainly sub-acute, and PCR appeared to be a suitable diagnostic method in detection of infection; however, furthermore studies are necessary.