Parapoxvirus
Encyclopedia
Parapoxviruses belong to the Poxviridae
family. Like all members of that family, they are oval, relatively large, double-stranded DNA viruses. Parapoxviruses have a unique spiral coat that distinguishes them from other poxviruses. Parapoxviruses infect vertebrate
s.
Not all parapoxviruses are zoonotic. Notable zoonotic hosts of parapoxviruses include sheep, goat
s, and cattle.
The most recent species of parapoxviruses has been found in New Zealand Red Deer
. There are also some tentative species
in the genus
, including Auzduk disease virus, Chamois contagious ecthyma virus, and Sealpox virus.
s worldwide. They tend to cause lesions that range in size depending on the case. Between 1990 and 1995, there was a mean
of 15 cases reported annually. This is a significant decline from the annual mean of 46 cases between 1968 and 1978.
Some authors believe that the infection is much more common than reported, as it may not appear to be a serious infection.
, an animal feed that may cause trauma
, thereby leading to infection.
s with a diameter of 10-20 nm form a criss-cross pattern.
The virions have one molecule of double-stranded DNA
, putting into the Group I category for virus classification
purposes.
Poxviridae
Poxviruses are viruses that can, as a family, infect both vertebrate and invertebrate animals.Four genera of poxviruses may infect humans: orthopox, parapox, yatapox, molluscipox....
family. Like all members of that family, they are oval, relatively large, double-stranded DNA viruses. Parapoxviruses have a unique spiral coat that distinguishes them from other poxviruses. Parapoxviruses infect vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
s.
Not all parapoxviruses are zoonotic. Notable zoonotic hosts of parapoxviruses include sheep, goat
Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
s, and cattle.
The most recent species of parapoxviruses has been found in New Zealand Red Deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
. There are also some tentative species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, including Auzduk disease virus, Chamois contagious ecthyma virus, and Sealpox virus.
Impact
Parapoxviruses cause infection of cows, sheep, goats, and red squirrelRed Squirrel
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia...
s worldwide. They tend to cause lesions that range in size depending on the case. Between 1990 and 1995, there was a mean
Mean
In statistics, mean has two related meanings:* the arithmetic mean .* the expected value of a random variable, which is also called the population mean....
of 15 cases reported annually. This is a significant decline from the annual mean of 46 cases between 1968 and 1978.
Some authors believe that the infection is much more common than reported, as it may not appear to be a serious infection.
Seasonal fluctuations
Most reports indicate a higher frequency of human infections during the spring and autumn, presumably due to the seasonal slaughtering of susceptible animals. However, others show a higher occurrence in winter. This may be attributed to the use of gorseGorse
Gorse, furze, furse or whin is a genus of about 20 plant species of thorny evergreen shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to western Europe and northwest Africa, with the majority of species in Iberia.Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green...
, an animal feed that may cause trauma
Physical trauma
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
, thereby leading to infection.
Properties
Virions are enveloped and have a diameter of 160-190 nm. They are approximately 250-300 nm long, and have a regular surface structure; tubuleTubule
A tubule is a very small tube or fistular structure.A system of surface-connected membranes in muscle that enables a nerve impulse to travel to the interior of the muscle fibre.In anatomy, a tubule is a minute tube lined with glandular epithelium....
s with a diameter of 10-20 nm form a criss-cross pattern.
The virions have one molecule of double-stranded DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
, putting into the Group I category for virus classification
Virus classification
Virus classification is the process of naming viruses and placing them into a taxonomic system. Similar to the classification systems used for cellular organisms, virus classification is the subject of ongoing debate and proposals. This is mainly due to the pseudo-living nature of viruses, which...
purposes.