RESUMEN
Cowpox is a rare zoonosis transmitted to humans mainly from cats. The disease usually causes skin lesions; however, the ocular form may lead to other serious complications. We describe a case of cowpox in a rare location of the upper eyelid of an immunocompetent male, which lead to necrosis of the upper eyelid, keratitis and leucomatous opacity, and the neovascularization of the cornea. The patient underwent several surgeries, including reconstruction surgery of the eyelids, correction of the medial canthus, and corneal neurotization with supraorbicular nerve transplantation. Suspicion of cowpox should be made in patients where there are poorly healing skin lesions accompanied by a painful black eschar with erythema and local lymphadenopathy. Ocular cowpox may lead to serious complications and possibly mimic anthrax. Diagnosis of cowpox can be confirmed by detection of cowpox virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Patients should be advised to protect themselves while handling sick animals.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Párpados/virología , Adulto , Animales , Carbunco/diagnóstico , Gatos , Viruela Vacuna/patología , Viruela Vacuna/transmisión , ADN Viral/aislamiento & purificación , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Párpados/patología , Párpados/cirugía , Humanos , Masculino , Necrosis/diagnóstico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Procedimientos de Cirugía Plástica/métodos , Piel/patología , Zoonosis/diagnóstico , Zoonosis/transmisiónRESUMEN
Cowpox virus (CPXV), genus Orthopoxvirus, family Poxviridae, is a zoonotic pathogen in Eurasian wild rodents. High seroprevalences have been reported previously for vole and murine species in Europe. In contrast, viral DNA was only rarely detected, and very few reservoir-derived CPXV isolates exist. In this study, CPXV DNA and CPXV-reactive antibodies were monitored in wild small mammals for 5 years in four German federal states. Screening of liver tissues of 3966 animals by CPXV real-time PCR (qPCR) revealed five voles of two species positive for CPXV DNA. Two positive bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and two positive common voles (Microtus arvalis) originated from two plots in Baden-Wuerttemberg. One positive bank vole originated from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. None of the small mammals from Thuringia and North Rhine-Westphalia was positive in the qPCR. CPXV antigen-based indirect immunofluorescence assays of 654 highly diluted chest cavity fluid samples detected two bank voles and two common voles from the same sites in Baden-Wuerttemberg to be highly seroreactive. Five animals were CPXV DNA positive, and four other animals were orthopoxvirus seropositive. Our study indicates both a very low prevalence and a patchy occurrence of CPXV in common and bank voles and absence in other rodent and shrew species in Germany. The multiple detection of infected voles at one site in Baden-Wuerttemberg and continued detection in a region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania classify these regions as potential endemic foci.
Asunto(s)
Arvicolinae/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/veterinaria , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Roedores/virología , Distribución Animal , Animales , Viruela Vacuna/epidemiología , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Ecosistema , Alemania/epidemiología , Humanos , Hígado/virología , Enfermedades de los Roedores/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Cowpox virus (CPXV) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus (OPV) that infects a wide range of mammals. CPXV-specific DNA and antibodies were detected in different vole species, such as common voles (Microtus arvalis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Therefore, voles are the putative main reservoir host of CPXV. However, CPXV was up to now only isolated from common voles. Here we report the detection and isolation of a bank vole-derived CPXV strain (GerMygEK 938/17) resulting from a large-scale screening of bank voles collected in Thuringia, Germany, during 2017 and 2018. Phylogenetic analysis using the complete viral genome sequence indicated a high similarity of the novel strain to CPXV clade 3 and to OPV "Abatino" but also to Ectromeliavirus (ECTV) strains. Phenotypic characterization of CPXV GerMygEK 938/17 using inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs displayed hemorrhagic pock lesions on the chorioallantoic membrane that are typical for CPXV but not for ECTV. CPXV GerMygEK 938/17 replicated in vole-derived kidney cell lines but at lower level than on Vero76 cell line. In conclusion, the first bank vole-derived CPXV isolate provides new insights into the genetic variability of CPXV in the putative reservoir host and is a valuable tool for further studies about CPXV-host interaction and molecular evolution of OPV.
Asunto(s)
Arvicolinae/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Roedores/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Roedores/virología , Animales , Chlorocebus aethiops , Biología Computacional/métodos , ADN Viral , Genoma Viral , Geografía Médica , Alemania/epidemiología , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular , Anotación de Secuencia Molecular , Fenotipo , Filogenia , Enfermedades de los Roedores/epidemiología , Células Vero , Replicación ViralRESUMEN
We report a case of atypical cowpox virus infection in France in 2016. The patient sought care for thoracic lesions after injury from the sharp end of a metallic guardrail previously stored in the ground. We isolated a cowpox virus from the lesions and sequenced its whole genome. The patient reported that he had been previously vaccinated against smallpox. We describe an alternative route of cowpox virus infection and raise questions about the immunological status of smallpox-vaccinated patients for circulating orthopoxviruses.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/inmunología , Viruela/epidemiología , Viruela/virología , Animales , Línea Celular , Biología Computacional/métodos , Viruela Vacuna/inmunología , Viruela Vacuna/patología , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/clasificación , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Francia/epidemiología , Genoma Viral , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto Rendimiento , Humanos , Filogenia , Viruela/prevención & control , Vacuna contra Viruela/inmunología , Vacunación , Replicación ViralRESUMEN
Cowpox virus (CPXV) infection is a reportable and potentially zoonotic disease that occurs sporadically in a variety of animals. During the past six decades, CPXV infection has been extensively researched and described in both domestic (cat, dog, horse, cattle) and zoo animals (e. g. elephant, rhinoceros, okapi). Of note, a review of the literature produced only three reports of CPXV in individual or small groups of South American camelids. The goal of this review was to describe the current knowledge as it relates to clinical features of CPXV infection in South American camelids and to compare the clinical manifestations with those described in other animal species. In alpacas and llamas, virus transmission occurs via direct contact with infected animals or oronasal infection through microlesions in the skin and mucous membranes. In its mild form, the disease is limited to certain regions of the body (head, neck, extremities or perineal region) and characterised by pustules or crusts. CPXV infection can also cause generalised and frequently lethal disease with multifocal to diffuse skin lesions (papules, pustules, crusts, ulcers) accompanied by virus replication in other organs. Conjunctivitis, stomatitis and rhinitis are seen commonly together with nonspecific clinical signs, including anorexia, listlessness and fever. As in other poxvirus infections, factors leading to an immunosuppression may contribute to the development of the clinical ma -nifestation of CPXV infection. There appear to be no specific manifestations of CPXV infection in South American camelids. More research is needed to fully understand the pathogenesis and epidemio logy of CPXV infection, particularly in South American camelids.
Asunto(s)
Camélidos del Nuevo Mundo/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/veterinaria , Animales , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Viruela Vacuna/epidemiología , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Piel/patología , Piel/virología , América del SurRESUMEN
In 1796, Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine consisting of pustular material obtained from lesions on cows affected by so-called cow-pox. The disease, caused by cowpox virus, confers crossprotection against smallpox. However, historical evidence suggests that Jenner might have used vaccinia virus or even horsepox virus instead of cowpox virus. Mysteries surrounding the origin and nature of the smallpox vaccine persisted during the 19th century, a period of intense exchange of vaccine strains, including the Beaugency lymph. This lymph was obtained from spontaneous cases of cow-pox in France in 1866 and then distributed worldwide. A detailed Historical Review of the distribution of the Beaugency lymph supports recent genetic analyses of extant vaccine strains, suggesting the lymph was probably a vaccinia strain or a horsepox-like virus. This Review is a historical investigation that revisits the mysteries of the smallpox vaccine and reveals an intricate evolutionary relationship of extant vaccinia strains.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/inmunología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Vacuna contra Viruela/historia , Vacuna contra Viruela/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela/prevención & control , Vacunación/historia , Animales , Bovinos , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/clasificación , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Francia , Historia del Siglo XVI , Historia del Siglo XVII , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , HumanosRESUMEN
Cowpox virus (CPXV) is a zoonotic virus and endemic in wild rodent populations in Eurasia. Serological surveys in Europe have reported high prevalence in different vole and mouse species. Here, we report on experimental CPXV infections of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from different evolutionary lineages with a spectrum of CPXV strains. All bank voles, independently of lineage, sex and age, were resistant to clinical signs following CPXV inoculation, and no virus shedding was detected in nasal or buccal swabs. In-contact control animals became only rarely infected. However, depending on the CPXV strain used, inoculated animals seroconverted and viral DNA could be detected preferentially in the upper respiratory tract. The highest antibody titers and virus DNA loads in the lungs were detected after inoculation with two strains from Britain and Finland. We conclude from our experiments that the role of bank voles as an efficient and exclusive CPXV reservoir seems questionable, and that CPXV may be maintained in most regions by other hosts, including other vole species. Further investigations are needed to identify factors that allow and modulate CPXV maintenance in bank voles and other potential reservoirs, which may also influence spill-over infections to accidental hosts.
Asunto(s)
Arvicolinae , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/crecimiento & desarrollo , Viruela Vacuna/patología , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Resistencia a la Enfermedad , Vectores de Enfermedades , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Viral/sangre , Boca/virología , Cavidad Nasal/virología , Sistema Respiratorio/virología , SeroconversiónRESUMEN
Here we present two cases of human infection with cowpox virus with distinct clinical courses. A series of clinical photographs documents lesion progression over time. In the first case-an unvaccinated young veterinary assistant-a pustule was treated locally with cortisone. The lesion turned into a large ulcer accompanied by severe lymphadenitis. Based on her close contact to a sick stray cat, infection with cowpox virus was assumed and confirmed by virus isolation, PCR, and serology. The clinical course took up to eleven months until healing of the wound was complete. Transmission of cowpox virus from the cat was likely because a skin swab was PCR-positive and the cat had a high titer of anti-orthopoxvirus antibodies. In contrast, a rather mild clinical course of cowpox was confirmed in a 49-year-old male farmer vaccinated against smallpox. Only a small eschar developed, and wound closure was complete after 6 weeks.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Viruela Vacuna/patología , Piel/patología , Zoonosis/diagnóstico , Zoonosis/patología , Animales , Alemania , Humanos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Cowpox virus (CPXV) was considered as uniform species within the genus Orthopoxvirus (OPV). Previous phylogenetic analysis indicated that CPXV is polyphyletic and isolates may cluster into different clades with two of these clades showing genetic similarities to either variola (VARV) or vaccinia viruses (VACV). Further analyses were initiated to assess both the genetic diversity and the evolutionary background of circulating CPXVs. Here we report the full-length sequences of 20 CPXV strains isolated from different animal species and humans in Germany. A phylogenetic analysis of altogether 83 full-length OPV genomes confirmed the polyphyletic character of the species CPXV and suggested at least four different clades. The German isolates from this study mainly clustered into two CPXV-like clades, and VARV- and VACV-like strains were not observed. A single strain, isolated from a cotton-top tamarin, clustered distantly from all other CPXVs and might represent a novel and unique evolutionary lineage. The classification of CPXV strains into clades roughly followed their geographic origin, with the highest clade diversity so far observed for Germany. Furthermore, we found evidence for recombination between OPV clades without significant disruption of the observed clustering. In conclusion, this analysis markedly expands the number of available CPXV full-length sequences and confirms the co-circulation of several CPXV clades in Germany, and provides the first data about a new evolutionary CPXV lineage.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/clasificación , Variación Genética , Animales , Análisis por Conglomerados , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Genoma Viral , Alemania , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto Rendimiento , Humanos , Fenotipo , Filogenia , Recombinación Genética , Virus Vaccinia/genética , Virus de la Viruela/genéticaRESUMEN
We investigated the first laboratory-confirmed human case of cowpox virus infection in Russia since 1991. Phylogenetic studies of haemagglutinin, TNF-α receptor-like protein and thymidine kinase regions showed significant differences with known orthopoxviruses, including unique amino-acid substitutions and deletions. The described cowpox virus strain, taking into account differences, is genetically closely related to strains isolated years ago in the same geographical region (European part of Russia and Finland), which suggests circulation of viral strains with common origin in wild rodents without spread over long distances and appearance in other parts of the world.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/clasificación , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Filogenia , Federación de Rusia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia , Proteínas Virales/genéticaRESUMEN
The article describes the isolation of a cowpox virus (CPXV) isolate originating from a horse. The skin of a foal, aborted in the third trimester, displayed numerous cutaneous papules. The histological examination showed A-type inclusion bodies within the lesion, typical for CPXV infections. This suspicion was confirmed by real-time PCR where various organs were analyzed. From skin samples, virus isolation was successfully performed. Afterwards, the whole genome of this new isolate "CPXV Amadeus" was sequenced by next-generation technology. Phylogenetic analysis clearly showed that "CPXV Amadeus" belongs to the "CPXV-like 1" clade. To our opinion, the study provides important additional information on rare accidental CPXV infections. From the natural hosts, the voles, species such as rats, cats, or different zoo animals are occasionally infected, but until now only two horse cases are described. In addition, there are new insights toward congenital CPXV infections.
Asunto(s)
Aborto Veterinario , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/veterinaria , Feto/virología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/virología , Animales , Viruela Vacuna/patología , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Resultado Fatal , Genoma Viral , Enfermedades de los Caballos/patología , Caballos , FilogeniaRESUMEN
CASE SERIES SUMMARY: This case series documents five cases of pneumonia (with pleural effusion in three cases) caused by cowpox virus (CPxV) in domestic cats. Predisposition to pneumonia may have resulted from mixed infections in two cases (feline herpesvirus and Bordetella bronchiseptica in one cat, and Mycoplasma species in the other). RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: As well as diagnostic confirmation by previously described methods of virus isolation from skin lesions, and demonstration of pox virions in skin samples using electron microscopy and inclusion bodies in histological preparations, this is the first report of diagnosis by virus isolation from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or pleural fluid, and demonstration of inclusion bodies in cytological preparations. This is also the first series to report treatment with interferon omega (IFN-ω). Two cats survived, both of which had been treated with IFN-ω. As CPxV represents a serious zoonotic risk it is an important differential diagnosis of pneumonia in cats.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/veterinaria , Dermatitis/veterinaria , Neumonía Viral/veterinaria , Animales , Líquido del Lavado Bronquioalveolar/virología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/patología , Gatos , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Dermatitis/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Masculino , Derrame Pleural/veterinaria , Derrame Pleural/virología , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
Buffalopox is a contagious viral disease affecting milch buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) and, rarely, cows. The disease has zoonotic implications, as outbreaks are frequently associated with human infections, particularly in the milkers. Buffalopox is associated with high morbidity (80%). The clinical symptoms of the disease are characterized by wartline lesions on the udder, teats, inguinal region, base of the ears, and over the parotid. In the severe form, generalized rash is observed. Although the disease does not lead to high mortality, it has an adverse effect on the productivity and working capacity of the animals resulting in large economic losses. The outbreaks of buffalopox occurred frequently in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia, where buffaloes are reared as milch animals. The buffalopox is closely related with other Orthopoxviruses. In particular, it is close to the vaccinia virus. There is a view that the buffalopox virus might be derived from the vaccinia virus. It is possible that it became pathogenic to humans and animals through adaptive evolution of the genome by obtaining the virulence genes. PCR is performed for the C18L gene for the purpose of specific detection and differentiation of the buffalopox virus from other orthopoxviruses. The C18L gene encodes the ankyrin repeat protein, which determines the virus host range. The open reading frame of this gene is only 150-nucleotide long as against 453 nucleotide in the vaccinia virus, 756 - in the camelpox virus, and 759 - in the cowpox virus. It can be concluded that a systematic study based on the epidemiology of the virus, existence of reservoirs, biological transmission, and the molecular organization of the buffalopox virus from buffalo, cow, and humans may pave the way to a better understanding of the circulating virus and contribute to the control of the disease using the suitable diagnostic and prophylactic measures.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Viruela Vacuna/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Virus Vaccinia/genética , Vaccinia/veterinaria , Zoonosis/epidemiología , Animales , Repetición de Anquirina , Asia Occidental/epidemiología , Búfalos/virología , Bovinos , Viruela Vacuna/transmisión , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/clasificación , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Viral/genética , Medio Oriente/epidemiología , Filogenia , Vaccinia/epidemiología , Vaccinia/transmisión , Vaccinia/virología , Virus Vaccinia/clasificación , Virus Vaccinia/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas Virales/genética , Zoonosis/transmisión , Zoonosis/virologíaRESUMEN
Cowpox in humans is a rare zoonotic disease; its recognition is therefore problematic due to the lack of clinical experience. The differential diagnosis includes other poxvirus infections and also infections with herpesviruses or selected bacteria. The clinical course can be complicated and the improvement may take weeks. Late diagnosis is one of the causes of unnecessary combined antibiotic therapy or surgical intervention. A case of cowpox after a cat scratch in a 15-year-old girl is presented, with a summary of the available clinical data on cowpox infections.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Zoonosis/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Animales , Antiinfecciosos/uso terapéutico , Gatos , Viruela Vacuna/tratamiento farmacológico , Viruela Vacuna/virología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Humanos , Polonia , Resultado del Tratamiento , Zoonosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Zoonosis/virologíaAsunto(s)
Viruela Vacuna/diagnóstico , Dermatosis Facial/etiología , Úlcera Cutánea/etiología , Adolescente , Animales , Gatos/virología , Viruela Vacuna/complicaciones , Viruela Vacuna/transmisión , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Dermatosis Facial/patología , Dermatosis Facial/virología , Femenino , Fiebre/etiología , Humanos , Necrosis , Faringitis/etiología , Roedores/virología , Úlcera Cutánea/patología , Úlcera Cutánea/virología , Enfermedades de la Glándula Submandibular/etiología , Cultivo de Virus , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Cowpox viruses are orthopoxviruses that may survive in the environment for years. Rodents are regarded as the primary hosts, but transmission to other species has been reported. This report describes a cowpox virus infection in a cat with subsequent transmission to its owner leading to protracted, atypical and severe clinical signs. A young cat presented with multiple crusts and plaques on the neck, muzzle and tail base. The owner developed an erythematous lesion with elevated margins, central necrosis and crust formation below the left breast, a neurogenic inflammation, enlarged regional lymph nodes, a colliquative lymphadenitis and concomitant flu-like symptoms. Cultures were taken at the first visit from the cat's lesional skin and the patient's skin, and polymerase chain reaction with sequencing of the haemagglutinin region of both were positive for cowpox virus. The patient was treated with various antibiotics and methylprednisolone and was in clinical remission after 7 months.
Asunto(s)
Viruela Vacuna/transmisión , Linfadenitis/virología , Inflamación Neurogénica/virología , Adulto , Animales , Animales Domésticos , Axila , Gatos , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Viral/aislamiento & purificación , Femenino , HumanosRESUMEN
In the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, rats are commonly traded in wet markets and sold live for food consumption. We investigated seroprevalence to selected groups of rodent-borne viruses among human populations with high levels of animal exposure and among co-located rodent populations. The indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine seropositivity to representative reference strains of hantaviruses (Dobrava virus [DOBV], Seoul virus [SEOV]), cowpox virus, arenaviruses (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus [LCMV]), flaviviruses (tick-borne encephalitis virus [TBEV]), and rodent parechoviruses (Ljungan virus), using sera from 245 humans living in Dong Thap Province and 275 rodents representing the five common rodent species sold in wet markets and present in peridomestic and farm settings. Combined seropositivity to DOBV and SEOV among the rodents and humans was 6.9% (19/275) and 3.7% (9/245), respectively; 1.1% (3/275) and 4.5% (11/245) to cowpox virus; 5.4% (15/275) and 47.3% (116/245) for TBEV; and exposure to Ljungan virus was 18.8% (46/245) in humans, but 0% in rodents. Very little seroreactivity was observed to LCMV in either rodents (1/275, 0.4%) or humans (2/245, 0.8%). Molecular screening of rodent liver tissues using consensus primers for flaviviruses did not yield any amplicons, whereas molecular screening of rodent lung tissues for hantavirus yielded one hantavirus sequence (SEOV). In summary, these results indicate low to moderate levels of endemic hantavirus circulation, possible circulation of a flavivirus in rodent reservoirs, and the first available data on human exposures to parechoviruses in Vietnam. Although the current evidence suggests only limited exposure of humans to known rodent-borne diseases, further research is warranted to assess public health implications of the rodent trade.
Asunto(s)
Vectores de Enfermedades , Carne/virología , Roedores/virología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Animales , Arenavirus/inmunología , Arenavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/inmunología , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Flavivirus/inmunología , Flavivirus/aislamiento & purificación , Orthohantavirus/inmunología , Orthohantavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Parechovirus/inmunología , Parechovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Roedores/inmunología , Vietnam/epidemiología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
The species cowpox virus (CPXV), genus Orthopoxvirus (OPV), consists of isolates highly variable in their biological properties and their genotypes. A TaqMan PCR assay for the specific detection of CPXV DNA based on sequences of the ORF D11L has been developed recently. (Gavrilova et al., 2010; Shchelkunov et al., 2011); however, a rather limited panel of CPXV stains has been used. When a much larger panel of 47 CPXV DNAs has been tested, three strains could not be amplified at all because of large deletions in their respective ORF D11L. In addition, a deletion of 23bp led to low-efficiency detection of five other CPXV strains. To solve this problem a new primer/probe combinations was selected based on sequences of ORF D8L, and a new real-time PCR method for (i) a genus-specific detection of OPVs and (ii) a simultaneous CPXV-specific differentiation is described in this study. The specificity and sensitivity were assessed by analyzing DNA of 67 strains belonging to human-pathogenic OPV species, including variola virus, as well as specimens of CPXV-infected mice.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/aislamiento & purificación , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/métodos , Virología/métodos , Animales , Virus de la Viruela Vacuna/genética , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Variación Genética , Ratones , Sondas de Oligonucleótidos/genética , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Orthopoxvirus infections appear to be rare in South American Camelids, because only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Based on a generalized infection with cowpox virus in an alpaca, the clinical symptoms, laboratory diagnostic findings and the pathological changes are described. The case history showed a long treatment because of chronic skin lesions. The main clinical symptom was miliary papules over the entire skin. Furthermore, a bilateral mucopurulent conjunctivitis occurred as well as excessive salivation due to a severe erosive-ulcerative stomatitis. Although the animal received intensive treatment, it died 8 days after admission to the clinic. During necropsy, an erosive-ulcerative laryngitis as well as a necrotising pneumonia and lymphadenitis were observed. Histopathological examination of representative organ samples led to the diagnosis of a suspected orthopoxvirus infection. Electron microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of tissue samples confirmed this diagnosis. The virus could be isolated in tissue culture and a PCR with subsequent nucleotide sequencing identified cowpox virus as the causative agent for this generalised infection.