Clinical signs, diagnosis, and case reports of Vaccinia virus infections

Abstract

We declare no confl ict of interest. ABSTRACTVaccinia 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 defi nitive diagnosis is made through morphological characterization of the virus by use of electron microscopy, followed by PCR for specifi c 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.

Genomic Analysis of the Vaccinia Virus Strain Variants Found in Dryvax Vaccine

“…However, the association is not absolute, with DPP21 and DPP17 falling elsewhere within the "Dryvax cluster." It is also curious that horsepox virus falls into this grouping, providing some support for the hypothesis that HSPV derives from a feral vaccine strain (33) in much the same manner as VACV appears to have established new zoonotic infections in Asian water buffalo and South American cattle (4,30). It has previously been noted that there is more sequence diversity among all the sequenced VACV strains (including Tian Tan and Copenhagen) than among extant variola virus strains (24).…”

Mutations Conferring Resistance to Viral DNA Polymerase Inhibitors in Camelpox Virus Give Different Drug-Susceptibility Profiles in Vaccinia Virus

“…Also, other OPV infections are emerging. Monkeypox virus is responsible for increasing outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo (55), and increasing zoonotic infections of vaccinia virus (VACV), as well as of buffalopox, are being observed in Brazil and in India (1,13,34,56). Similarly, emerging infections with cowpox virus (CPXV) are seen in humans and in domestic and zoo animals in Europe (9,25,35,36,49,64).…”

Genomic identification of human vaccinia virus keratoconjunctivitis and its importance as a laboratory-acquired infection

“…However, this report and others of laboratory-acquired vaccinia infections showed that vaccination is being forgone in certain institutions. [678262728] No usual instructions exist for the level of precautions to be used by unvaccinated personnel. Vaccination may probably prevent or attenuate these patients’ infection, and it should continue to be recommended for laboratory workers who handle vaccinia.…”

“…reported laboratory-acquired VACV infection in a recently immunized person too that shows that handling of virus even by immunized people is also needed to employ special measures. [2728]…”