Poxvirus Flashcards
Characteristics
Size, complexity, genome
Largest and most complex virus known, double-stranded DNA virus
Is it easy to grow in the lab?
Yes
What hosts do they have?
Have their specific animal hosts (humans, monkeys, rodents, cows, sheeps)
What are infections mostly characterised by?
Rash
What antibodies does it induce?
Both specific and cross-reacting antibodies
What is human poxvirus called and which virus?
Small pox
Variola virus
How is smallpox transmitted by?
Respiratory route from lesions in respiratory tract
Where does smallpox virus distribute to?
Internal organs during 12 day incubation
What is the clinical presentation of smallpox?
Rash appears suddenly - papular, vesicular, pustular, leaving pink scars
How is poxvirus vaccines prepared?
From vesicular lesions produced in skin of calves and sheep, or it can be grown in chick embryos
What is the risk of poxvirus vaccines?
Mild reactions to fatal encephalitis
What does Molluscum contagiosum lead to? Where does it present in children and adults?
Small papule that grows into discrete, waxy, smooth, dome-shaped, pearly or flesh-coloured nodule
Children: trunk and proximal extremities
Adults: trunk, pubic areas and thighs
Infection is usually benign and painless
How is Molluscum contagiosum spread?
Who does it tend to occur in?
- Direct contact (may be skin-to-skin after sexual intercourse)
- Fomites (towels, swimming pools)
Tends to occur in children
How is Molluscum contagiosum diagnosed?
- Clinical appearance
- Confirmed by PCR (semi-solid caseous material can be expresed from lesions)
How is Molluscum contagiosum treated?
Spontaenous recovery!
Treatment is for comestic reasons