[Cowpox and catpox infection. 2 Clinical case reports].
In patients with painful, possibly hemorrhagic vesicles or black crusts, especially on hands/fingers or face/neck with typical history (contact to cows or feral/cats) the possibility of a cowpox/catpox infection has to be considered. The clinical diagnosis can be confirmed with the electron microscopy; cytoplasmic inclusions may be detected histologically. Further useful diagnostic tools are the identification of the cowpox/catpox virus by PCR or in cell culture as well as serological tests to detect virus specific antibodies. We report the development of typical skin lesions of a cowpox/catpox infection in two female patients who had contact with cows or cats. Recent diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are also discussed.
Feuerstein
B
B
Dermatologische Universitätsklinik, Hartmannstrasse 14, 91052 Erlangen.
Jürgens
M
M
Schnetz
E
E
Fartasch
M
M
Simon
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D015605:Cowpox / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral / Q000473:pathology; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology