Vaccinia virus is responsible for a zoonosis that usually
affects cattle and
human beings in
Brazil. The initial clinical signs of the
infection are focal red
skin areas,
fever, and
general symptoms similar to those of a
cold. Then, pustules and ulcerated lesions surrounded by
edema and
erythema follow, as well as local
lymphadenopathy that can last for weeks.
Cure and healing of the lesions occur over several weeks, leaving a typical
scar in the
skin of people and
animals affected. The
infection definitive
diagnosis is made through morphological characterization of the
virus by use of
electron microscopy, followed by
PCR for specific
viral genes. Since 1963, circulating
orthopoxviruses in infectious
outbreaks in several regions of
Brazil have been reported. Later, the etiological agent of those
infections was characterized as samples of
Vaccinia virus. In addition, the widespread use of those
viruses in
research laboratories and
mass vaccination of militaries have contributed to increase the cases of those
infections worldwide. Thus, several epidemiological and clinical studies are required, as well as studies of viral
immunology,
public health, and economic impact, because little is known about those
Vaccinia virus outbreaks in
Brazil.