[Human infections caused by vaccinia-like poxviruses in Brazil].
Since 1999, human infection caused by Orthopoxvirus has been observed in at least eight Brazilian states, with the presence of vesicles that evolve to pustules and crusts, especially on the hands, arms and face, after contact with cows showing comparable lesions on the udder. In addition to the skin lesions, there have been descriptions of patients with axillary ganglionic reactions that are sometimes painful, along with fever, headache, fatigue, dehydration, anorexia, sudoresis, arthralgia and muscle pain. The condition evolves over a three to four-week period. Vulvar lesions and transmission within families have also been described. Molecular studies have shown that the poxviruses identified are genetically related to vaccinia virus samples that were used in vaccination campaigns in the past. Clinical specimens from 80 human infections were studied in the laboratory, and orthopoxvirus infections were confirmed in 68 cases. The lesions observed in these patients are presented and the implications of this zoonosis in Brazil are discussed.
Schatzmayr
Hermann G
HG
Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. hermann@ioc.focruz.br
Costa
Renata Vitória Campos
RV
Gonçalves
Márcia Cristina Rosa
MC
Barreto
Débora Ferreira
DF
Batista
Valéria Holmo
VH
Silva
Manuel Enderson Vieira
ME
Brust
Luis Armando Calvão
LA
Barth
Ortrud Monika
OM
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure