What causes poxvirus infection?
Poxviruses exist throughout the world and cause disease in humans and many other types of animals. Poxvirus infections typically result in the formation of lesions, skin nodules, or disseminated rash. Infection in humans usually occurs due to contact with contaminated animals, people, or materials.
What are the pathogenesis of the viruses?
Pathogenesis is the process by which an infection leads to disease. Pathogenic mechanisms of viral disease include (1) implantation of virus at the portal of entry, (2) local replication, (3) spread to target organs (disease sites), and (4) spread to sites of shedding of virus into the environment.
What is the pathophysiology of smallpox?
Pathophysiology of Smallpox Smallpox is transmitted from person to person by inhalation of respiratory droplets or, less efficiently, by direct contact. Contaminated clothing or bed linens can also transmit infection. The infection is most communicable for the first 7 to 10 days after the rash appears.
How does the smallpox virus infect the body?
The virus starts in the lungs. From there, the virus invades the bloodstream and spreads to the skin, intestines, lungs, kidneys, and brain. The virus activity in the skin cells creates a rash that starts as macules (flat, red lesions).
Where is poxvirus most commonly found?
The most common are vaccinia (seen on Indian subcontinent) and molluscum contagiosum, but monkeypox infections are rising (seen in west and central African rainforest countries)….
| Poxviridae | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Chitovirales |
| Family: | Poxviridae |
| Subfamilies | |
| See text |
How is poxvirus diagnosed?
Diagnosis. The diagnosis is often suggested by the presence of skin lesions and a history of contact with human or animal cases. Diagnosis is confirmed by electron microscopy and/or virus isolation.
What are the steps of pathogenesis?
Stages of Pathogenesis. To cause disease, a pathogen must successfully achieve four steps or stages of pathogenesis: exposure (contact), adhesion (colonization), invasion, and infection.
What is the viral structure of smallpox?
Smallpox is a double-stranded, 135- to 375-kilobase (kb) DNA virus that replicates in the cytoplasm of the host cell and forms B-type inclusion bodies (Guarnieri bodies). This is in contrast to herpes viruses, which replicate in the nucleus. The orthopoxviruses are among the largest and most complex of all viruses.
What is the taxonomy of smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus. Variola virus classification: DNA virus. Family Poxviridae, subfamily Chordopoxvirinae, genus Orthopoxvirus.
What body systems does smallpox affect?
Smallpox can be deadly if the virus attacks the circulatory system, bone marrow or respiratory system. As recently as the 1960s, around 12 million people caught this highly contagious disease and approximately two million people died every year.
What is the causative agent for smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by infection with the variola virus. The disease is spread through person to person contact, most often from inhalation of droplet nuclei expelled through the back of the throat (oropharynx) of an infected person.