Milker's Nodules: Isolation of a Poxvirus from a Human Case

Abstract

A virus of the pox group was isolated from a lesion on a patient with milker's nodules by use of tissue cultures of bovine cells. The virus shows marked biologic and serologic differences from vaccinia virus, and it is presumably the etiologic agent of the milker's nodule syndrome.

Molecular Analysis of Parapoxvirus Detected in Eight Calves in Japan

“…The present result indicates that disease names are not always coincident with causal viral names in parapoxvirus infections as previously reported [8,9,10, 17]. PCPV VR634 was isolated from a human in the U.S.A. that had “milker’s nodules” on the hands [4]. The high level of identity between sample H and PCPV VR634, whose origins are significantly different geographically, biologically and chronologically, is indicative of high levels of conservation in the envelope gene region we examined.…”

Isolation of a Viral Agent from Pseudocowpox Disease

“…Likewise, the decrease anticipated the onset of the light period and was, therefore, not triggered by it. With this technique of harvesting, the changes in luciferin activity in extracts continue to occur in the absence of an environmental light-dark cycle with cells kept in constant dim light (6).…”

Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

“…Humans can become infected by parapoxvirus after direct contact with infected animals or through contaminated fomites. Parapoxvirus species that affect humans are typically host associated: orf virus (the disease is Orf, and is also referred to as ecthyma contagiosum, contagious pustular dermatosis) from sheep and goats (Meechan and MacLeod, ), bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) from cattle (Friedman‐Kien et al., ; Bowman et al., ), pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) (the disease is also referred to as milker's nodule, paravaccinia) from cattle and sealpox virus from pinnipeds (Hicks and Worthy, ; Müller et al., ; Clark et al., ; Nollens et al., ; Roess et al., ). Parapoxviruses have been isolated from cervids, including red deer in New Zealand (Robinson and Mercer, ), from Italy (Scagliarini et al., ) and from reindeer in Northern Europe (Horner et al., ; Tikkanen et al., ; Klein and Tryland, ; Hautaniemi et al., ).…”

“…Bovine papular stomatitis virus, PCPV and Orf are often occupational infections (Gumbrell and McGregor, ; Mazur et al., ); prior to mechanization of meat and dairy processing, butchers and milk maids were commonly infected (‘milker's nodule’) with what was likely caused by PCPV or BPSV (Carson and Kerr, ; Cheville and Shey, ; Nagington et al., ; Carson et al., ; Shelukhina et al., ). Human cases of parapoxvirus in the United States have been reported, and frequently, the source of infection was believed to be a ruminant (Friedman‐Kien et al., ; Robinson and Petersen, ; Damon et al., ; Lederman et al., ). Routine surveillance for parapoxvirus in domestic ruminants and wildlife is not conducted in the United States.…”